The House has voted to impose tough new rules for credit card companies unless lenders agree to freeze interest rates and fees.

The bill, approved 331-92, would accelerate the February enactment date of legislation already passed by Congress that limits when and how banks can charge credit card customers.

The proposal's chances in the Senate were dim, where several lawmakers worried that a short deadline would hurt the industry and limit the availability of credit. But the House vote served as a warning shot to big banks that many lawmakers were fed up with reports of price gouging.

"This is both real and a lesson to them," said Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.

Last spring, Congress passed legislation that would protect debt-ridden consumers from many of the surprise changes that have become common in the industry. President Barack Obama signed that bill into law in May and most of the new rules will take effect on Feb. 22, 2010.