Credit Cardholders' Bill Of Rights Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of a ``gun free'' Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights, a bill which is intended to protect American consumers and requires financial institutions to work responsibly with their customers. This legislation will eliminate the most egregious billing excesses imposed on customers and protect them from extreme fees and penalties. I commend Congresswoman MALONEY and Chairman FRANK for their leadership to pass this important legislation.

Unfortunately, Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights was returned to the U.S. House tainted by an irresponsible amendment offered by Senator TOM COBURN and supported by sixty-six other U.S. Senators clearly more interested in their National Rifle Association rating than public safety. Senator COBURN's amendment to allow people to carry loaded, concealed firearms in America's National Park System is nothing short of insane and a political game played at the expense of millions of families who will visit our national parks seeking enjoyment, recreation, and peace. By permitting loaded guns in national parks, the Coburn amendment endangers the safety of park visitors, park rangers, and wildlife.

America's national parks are some of our country's most precious national treasures. Our national parks are not only the millions of acres of wild lands but also include urban parks like New York's Statue of Liberty and the National Mall and Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC--just footsteps from the U.S. Capitol. What rationale is there for the need to carry a concealed weapon on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial? The only rationale can be for politicians to score political points with the NRA.

Families and foreign visitors to our national parks should be worried, I am. Individuals carrying loaded, concealed weapons would be allowed to attend ranger-led hikes and campfire programs along with families. Park Rangers, who are already the most assaulted federal officers in the country according to the National Parks Conservation Association, would face even greater life threatening safety risks. And park visitors would no longer have the assurance that our national parks are safe, secure places for themselves and their families.

I am not alone in this position. Last year, in a letter to the Secretary of Interior, seven former directors of the National Park Service voiced strong concerns with allowing loaded guns in national parks, citing increased risk of poaching, vandalism of historic resources, and risk to visitors. The Association of National Park Rangers and U.S. Park Rangers Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police, have stated that allowing visitors to carry readily-accessible, loaded firearms would impede both their safety and the ability to keep our parks safe.

This is a shameful example of the failure of the legislative process and I would urge President Obama to veto the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights and send it back to Congress to take the guns out.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source