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U.S. Sens. Richard Burr and Kay Hagan traveled overseas as Congress began its weeklong Memorial Day recess.

While Hagan, a Democrat, visited troops in Afghanistan, Burr, a Republican, helped lead Memorial Day ceremonies at the Normandy American Cemetery in France.

Burr praised the American troops who helped liberate France and likened them to American forces fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan today.

“And like their forefathers, the latest American generation to come of age on distant battlefields also knows the horrible toll war exacts on mind, body, and soul,” said Burr’s prepared remarks for the occasion. “Since 2001, they have shouldered the heavy burdens of combat and struggled with its often lonely aftermath.”

Recess

Expect to see more of your congressional representatives this week. The House and Senate don’t return to work until Monday.

Credit card bill signed

President Barack Obama signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act into law Friday, which regulates the fees and penalties charged by the credit card industry.

The final version of the bill contained an amendment championed by Rep. Brad Miller, a Raleigh Democrat, who has been active on lending issues.

“This law will help families avoid falling into the trap of perpetual debt,” Miller said in a statement.

 “It will also prevent the abusive practices by credit card companies that trap them.”

The Miller amendment, which he co-sponsored with fellow North Carolina Democrat Rep. David Price, will require credit card companies to warn consumers about the hazards of making only the minimum payments.

According to Miller’s office, credit card companies would be required to provide “personalized disclosures that show the total cost, including interest payments, of paying only monthly minimum payment on their credit card balance. 

The disclosures will also include assessments of the monthly payment they must make to pay off their balance in 36 months.”

House Votes 

Credit card rules: The House voted 364-64 to approve HR 627, a bill that imposes regulations on the credit card industry. The measure limits certain fees and penalties and requires more disclosure of certain terms.

Democrats Brad Miller, of Raleigh, and Mel Watt, of Charlotte, voted for the bill.

Republicans Howard Coble, of Greensboro, and Virginia Foxx, of Winston-Salem, voted against it.

Guns in parks: The House also approved by a separate 279-147 vote on an amendment to HR 627 that allows people to carry loaded firearms in national parks.

Coble and Foxx voted for the amendment.

Miller and Watt voted against.

Smoking: The House passed on a 397-11 vote a measure to require retailers who sell large quantities of tobacco products to obey state laws and register with the ATF. 

Coble, Foxx, Miller and Watt voted for the bill.

Senate Votes

Credit card rules: The Senate also passed HR 627 last week, putting in place credit card protections for consumers.

The vote was 90-5, and both Burr and Hagan voted for the bill.

Guantanamo releases: The Senate voted 92-3 for a measure that would prevent the release of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay Cuba into the United States. It also strips $80 million from a war funding bill that the Obama administration had requested in order to close the prison

Both Burr and Hagan voted for the bill.

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com