Credit card issuers will be playing defense in Washington during the next few days.

On Wednesday, the House Financial Services Committee is scheduled to consider a measure aimed at stopping what some lawmakers see as deceptive practices among credit card issuers. It would ban interest rate hikes on existing balances, over-the-limit fees, double-cycle billing. The cardholders could avoid a higher rate by cancelling the card before the rate takes effect.

CUNA and NAFCU have expressed support for some of these provisions but say that others would prevent credit unions that issue credit cards from managing risk effectively.

The Fed and the NCUA have approved regulations on this subject, which take effect next year. If Congress passes a law it would take effect sooner and it would be harder to change the law than it is to change regulations.

On Thursday, senior executives of the largest credit card issuers are set to meet with administration officials to discuss the subject. Lawrence Summers, President Obama's top economic adviser, said yesterday on NBC's Meet the Press that there needs to be additional government action to stop pitches from credit card companies that get people addicted to credit cards.