hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Adjusts debit card fee thresholds for inflation.
Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), Financial Services Committee.
Introduced in House, no vote yet.
The bill updates a law that caps debit card swipe fees for big banks. It requires the Federal Reserve to raise that cap each year based on the Consumer Price Index, starting July 2026. Sponsor Rep. Barr serves on the House Financial Services Committee, which is where the bill sits now without a scheduled vote.
Introduced Feb 11, 2026
This bill is under review by a committee. The committee holds hearings, gathers testimony from experts and stakeholders, and may propose amendments. If the committee votes to advance it, the bill moves to the full chamber for debate and a vote.
Debit card swipe fees (the charge merchants pay when you use your card) are capped by law. This bill ties that cap to inflation, so it will rise automatically each year. Community banks and credit unions often rely on these fees, so higher caps could help them stay profitable. Merchants may feel the pinch and could increase prices to cover the extra cost.
Supporters Say
Supporters say inflation indexing helps community banks keep up with rising costs without needing new legislation.
Critics Say
Critics argue it could increase costs for merchants and consumers without a clear benefit.
Supporters, especially small banks, claim the current fixed cap hurts them as their costs rise. They say automatic adjustments prevent frequent lobbying for updates. Critics, including consumer groups and retailers, worry that higher swipe fees get passed to shoppers and that the bill lacks safeguards to ensure savings go to consumers. No major endorsements or opposition have been publicly noted yet.