by Alison Storm | 05/29/10

ATM fees are something that millions of Americans deal with and despise. That could be why Iowa Senator Tom Harkin submitted an amendment to cap ATM fees at $.50. However, the issue was never debated according to CBS News and some are wondering if it's because lawmakers don't understand the hassle of ATM fees.

The Omaha World Herald interviewed Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson about the issue of ATM fees and made an interesting discovery. "I've never used an ATM, so I don't know what the fees are," Nelson reportedly said to the paper, adding that he gets his cash from bank tellers, not ATMs. "It's true, I don't know how to use one." Nelson continued, saying "But I could learn how to do it just like I've... I swipe to get my own gas, buy groceries. I know about the holograms." The World-Herald explained that by "holograms," Nelson was referring to the bar codes on products read by automatic scanners.

In contrast, Harkin, the author of the amendment says that he uses an ATM card once every couple of weeks. "Consumers are being charged ATM fees that are well in excess of the cost of providing services, in some instances, as much as $5 per withdrawal," Harkin said in a release that announced the introduction of his amendment. "These fees are outrageous, are anti-consumer, and they need to be reigned in."

Other media outlets reported that the debate over the issue became heated on the senate floor as Harkin and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid knocked heads over the amendment. "What kind of games are being played around here?" Harkin supposedly asked Tuesday night. "I've had this amendment pending ever since the beginning. And I have not been allowed to bring it up. "

After many news outlets picked up on Nelson's inexperience with ATMs, a spokesman for the senator released a statement to clarify his comments. "Senator Nelson avoids ATM fees by not using ATM cards. He avoids credit card interest by paying his bills in full and on time. He wishes the federal government would do the same," Thompson said in a memo released to reporters, according to USA Today. "He understands that many Americans, including many Nebraskans, are struggling to make ends meet and use their ATM cards for convenience and their credit cards to stretch their budgets. He also understands the significant costs associated with using banking cards in this manner."