Credit Card Competition Act Faces Senate Setback
An attempt to attach the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) as an amendment to the bipartisan housing bill failed on March 12, 2026, the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) announced on Friday, March 13, 2026.
Amendment Fails, Debate Continues
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act passed the Senate with a vote of 89 to 10, but the CCCA amendment (S.Amdt. 4305), filed by Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, was not included in the final legislation, according to the ETA. The ETA actively opposed the amendment, arguing that credit card routing mandates would compromise the security, innovation, and consumer protections within the current payments system. The association likewise emphasized that housing legislation should focus on affordability, not unrelated payments policy changes.
Senators Dick Durbin of Illinois and Roger Marshall continue to advocate for the CCCA, as reported by the ETA. The association stated it will remain engaged with policymakers as discussions surrounding the CCCA continue.
Previous Attempts and Administration Support
America’s Credit Unions highlighted Marshall’s attempt to add the CCCA to the housing bill in a March 4 press release, noting that he had previously tried to attach similar language to digital assets legislation. The organization argued that attaching the CCCA to a housing bill would not address housing affordability and would not protect consumers.
The Core of the CCCA
The CCCA aims to enable card payments to be routed over at least one network competing with Mastercard, and Visa. Proponents believe this would lower so-called swipe fees, while opponents contend it would disrupt a secure and convenient system, potentially jeopardizing consumer protections, rewards programs, and access to credit. President Donald Trump endorsed the bill in January when Durbin and Marshall reintroduced it.
Background on Swipe Fees
According to Senator Durbin, the average American family pays nearly $1,200 per year in swipe fees, while banks profit $111.2 billion annually from these fees . The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) supports the CCCA, stating that lowering swipe fees is a priority for small businesses.
However, banking and credit union groups, including the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), urge Congress to reject the bill, arguing it would harm consumers, small businesses, and community financial institutions.