This bill stops some of the most egregious practices.

Last fall, we took a major step forward in leveling this playing field when the House passed the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 312-112.

I want to thank all of my colleagues who have worked hard on this bill and have supported it, some on both sides of the aisle.

I feel strongly that we should move forward and pass the Credit Card Bill of Rights.

Let me be very clear: credit cards remain a vital tool, a vital innovation in our economy.

I do not believe we should be bailing out foreign banks. I believe other governments should bail out their own banks.

Fees should not be attached to unemployment benefits. Look, the taxpayers are paying for it to help Americans. Particularly these fees should not be attached by banks that are getting TARP money or being supported by the taxpayers' dollars.

Beyond working on mortgage reform, this committee is working on regulatory reform, including a discussion of creating a systemic risk regulator.

Rising unemployment adds urgency for the Senate to act on the Helping Families Save Their Homes bill that just passed in the House of Representatives yesterday.

Congress worked closely with President Obama to swiftly pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act last month in order to stem job losses and put people back to work as quickly as possible.

This recession is on a path to be the worst since the Great Depression.