Update: Here are some blogs from Stephanie Mencimer of Mother Jones and Kimberly Palmer of U.S. News and World Report on the witness-gagging episode.

Regarding my last blog on witnesses refusing to testify after credit card companies convinced Republican members to grant them a right to use confidential consumer files to impeach the witnesses in public: Here is an ABC New story 'Muscle' Silences Credit Card Adversaries; here is the Rocky Mountain News Udall blasts credit card industry, alleging intimidation; here is AXcess News Banks, consumers duel over proposed bill on credit cardholder rights.

Also, on Wednesday, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced The Credit Card Reform Act, S 2753, backed by U.S. PIRG, NJPIRG and other leading groups.

Also, Joe Enoch at ConsumerAffairs.Com has a nice story Floating Due Date Snags Chase, Citibank Customers. I've yet to see any action on this real problem by regulators. I get complaints about it. I've noticed it on my bills.

Yesterday, Financial Services Committee chairman Barney Frank said: "To my friends in the industry, I am convinced you all have a personal algorithm to decide the worst day to make our bills due."

From Joe's story, they do.