The Republican Santa Claus gave the credit card industry an early Christmas present last night. Republicans on Wednesday stopped Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd's (D-Conn.) attempt to begin debate on his bill to freeze credit card interest rates and fees by placing the consumer protection bill on hold. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) objected on the behalf of several of his GOP colleagues, this effectively prevents even having a debate. In other words, there’s nothing standing in the way of card companies jacking up rates before the Credit CARD Act goes into effect in February. This is exactly what Congress wanted to protect Americans from when passing the law. Merry Christmas Credit Card Companies your holiday came on November 18^th   thanks to your conservative allies.