Congress on Wednesday approved and sent to Obama a bill to rein in the credit card industry, but not before handing Republicans a rare legislative victory by including an unrelated amendment to allow visitors to carry a licensed gun in national parks.
Exploiting differences between Democratic liberals and conservative Blue Dogs, House Republicans were able to attract more than 100 Democratic votes for the gun amendment, which had been added to the bill in the Senate earlier this month.
The gun rider, sponsored by Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican, would permit firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges as long as they are allowed by federal, state and local law.
The gun amendment passed the House on a 279-147 vote, while the credit card reform bill passed on a separate 361-64 vote. The Senate passed the combined bill on a 90-5 vote.
Republicans have long been seeking a federal rule that would codify the right of state gun laws to govern national park lands. A rule issued under President George W. Bush to allow concealed weapons in national parks was later overturned by a federal court.
