April 22, 2009
Washington, DC - The House Financial Services Committee today approved legislation that would provide credit card customers crucial protections against unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive credit card practices, which include double-cycle billing, due-date gimmicks, and retroactive interest rate hikes. The bill would also increase the advance notice of impending rate hikes and give consumers the information and rights they need to manage their credit responsibly.
The Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights (H.R. 627), sponsored by Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), was passed by a vote of 48 to 19. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“This landmark legislation helps level the playing field between cardholders and card companies. For too long the relationship has been one-sided; but markets function best when all sides know what they're getting into -- and these deceptive practices need to be stopped. The Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights brings more transparency to the contractual relationship and give consumers the tools they need to responsibly manage their own credit," Rep. Maloney said.
“The substantial reforms in this bill are needed now more than ever, as working Americans have increasingly turned to credit cards to help pay medical bills, buy groceries, and make ends meet in this troubled economy," Rep. Maloney added.
Specifically, the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights would:
The committee also approved the following amendments this afternoon that would:
For more information on The Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights, click here.
###
Committee on Financial Services • B301C Rayburn House Office Building • Washington, DC 20515 • (202) 225-4247
Connect with us on Twitter: