Katie Porter on Welfare & Poverty

2012: Sounded alarm about predatory practices on homeowners

In 2012, then California Attorney General Kamala Harris appointed me to be California's watchdog against the banks. The banks had promised to pay billions to homeowners they cheated, and Harris appointed me to make sure the banks followed through. My team and I held the banks' feet to the fire, securing over $18 billion and helping tens of thousands of families move forward with their lives.

As an advocate, I have sought reforms that help families get a fair shake in our economy. I have been a key player in the fight against abusive credit card fees and, in 2010, helped pass important federal credit card protections for families. I have written three books that document how Washington special interests skew our laws and cut off the legal rights of families who play by the rules.