House Judiciary Committee approves bankruptcy legislation News
House Judiciary Committee approves bankruptcy legislation

[JURIST] The House Judiciary Committee [official website] Wednesday approved the Senate's bankruptcy bill [THOMAS bill summary] 22-13 in a vote largely along party lines, turning back a number of Democrat-proposed amendments. The legislation would require people with incomes above a certain level to pay credit-card charges, medical bills and other obligations under a court-ordered bankruptcy plan. The current system gives more discretion to bankruptcy judges in determining which, if any, debts can be dissolved. Opponents of the bill say it would trap people who are recovering fom high medical costs or a loss of a job in perpetual debt. AP has more.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase:

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.