January 13, 2026 –
The Energy Marketers of America (EMA) today
welcomed the reintroduction of the Credit Card
Competition Act (CCCA) by Senators Roger
Marshall (R-KS) Dick Durbin (D-IL) and along
with Reps. Lance Gooden (R-TX) and Zoe Lofgren
(D-CA) a bipartisan measure aimed at curbing
skyrocketing credit card swipe fees that
disproportionately impact small business fuel
marketers and convenience store operators across
the nation. The bill introduction follows
President Donald’s posted support for the bill
today on the X social media platform. EMA thanks
the President for his monumental move to endorse
passage of the CCCA.
The legislation,
which builds on previous efforts to promote
competition in the credit card processing
market, would require large banks to enable
retailers to route transactions over at least
two unaffiliated networks - beyond the dominant
Visa and Mastercard duopoly. This reform mirrors
successful debit card routing rules in place for
over a decade and could significantly reduce
interchange fees, providing much-needed relief
to EMA members who operate on razor-thin margins
in a volatile energy market.
"Credit card
swipe fees have become one of the largest
operating expenses for our members, often
exceeding utility costs and cutting deeply into
profits that could otherwise support jobs,
infrastructure upgrades, and competitive fuel
pricing for consumers," said Rob Underwood,
President of EMA. "We commend Senators Marshall
and Durbin for their leadership in reintroducing
this critical bill, and we applaud President
Trump's endorsement as a strong signal of
support for America's small businesses. It's
time to level the playing field and end the
unchecked dominance of big banks and card
networks that siphon billions from Main Street
retailers every year."
EMA members, who
represent thousands of independent energy
marketers, distributors, and convenience store
owners, paid an estimated $15 billion in swipe
fees last year alone - fees that continue to
rise unchecked. By fostering competition, the
Credit Card Competition Act would empower
retailers to choose lower-cost processing
options without compromising transaction
security or consumer rewards programs,
ultimately benefiting drivers at the pump
through potential savings.
EMA calls on
Congress to prioritize and pass this legislation
in the 119th session, ensuring that fuel
retailers can thrive amid economic pressures
like fluctuating energy prices and supply chain
disruptions. |
