Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the Stupak/Pitts amendment which plainly discriminates against women, puts women’s health at risk, and marks an unprecedented restriction on people who pay for their own health insurance.

Last Sunday, 42,000 people gathered in my hometown of  New York City to run the NYC marathon while 2 million more people watched, cheered, and marveled at those who accepted the challenge of running 26.2 miles.  It is likely that each participant had a different reason for running, but the ultimate goal was the same:  to finish, to succeed, and to accomplish a goal.  As Greek legend explains, the concept of the marathon comes from the long distance a messenger ran to deliver the important news that the battle had been won.  Madam Speaker, as we stand here today to debate a historical bill that will substantially improve the delivery of health care in America, we are the runners at mile 25.  The cheers are the loudest, the anticipation is the greatest, and the end, while near, seems very far away.  Despite all of the noise, the message is clear: now is the time for health care reform, now is the time to take care of all Americans, now is the time to make sure that families are not forced to see loved ones die because they did not get the care they need and deserve.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3639, the Expedited Card Reform for Consumers Act of 2009.I want to thank Chairman Frank for joining with me and moving this so quickly. Thanks also to Senators Dodd of Connecticut and Udall of Colorado for taking action in the Senate.

This bill would simply move up the effective date of the remaining provisions of the Credit Card Act from February and August 2010 to December 1, 2009. It would exempt both small card issuers and gift card issuers (keeping those implementation dates in February, 2010).

Washington, DC – The House of Representatives today overwhelmingly approved legislation sponsored by Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Barney Frank (D-MA) that would push up the effective date of credit card reforms scheduled for next year to immediately upon the signing of the bill.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney said, “Card companies have redoubled many of the abusive practices that brought Congress to pass my original reforms last Spring. Rather than use the time-- time they asked for-- since the bill’s signing in May to prepare for the changes, they’ve raised rates and fees with absolutely no regard for the dire position of millions of their customers.