The Mega-Stores, they continue to struggle.
The bill is poised to alter the credit card routing system as we know it under the guise that it would "create competition" and financially benefit small businesses, community banks, and consumers. But the facts reveal just the opposite.
While Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roger Marshall (R-KS)’s mega-store allies would stand to gain billions, recent findings from the University of Miami paint a more bleak picture for mom and pop retailers. While the top 100 largest stores could see a benefit of nearly $3 billion, with $1.2 billion going to the top five largest retailers alone —Walmart, Amazon, Costco, Kroger and Home Depot — businesses with less than $500 million in revenue would see little or any benefit.
Despite promises of benefits, the report also found that small businesses would likely lose out on their own rewards, as small business operators receive roughly $12 billion in credit card rewards when they make purchases on credit themselves. The bill jeopardizes credit card rewards programs, essential for both businesses and consumers. By increasing costs and threatening the viability of heavily relied-on programs — such as cash back, airline points, and credit card rewards — already struggling Americans would feel an even tighter financial strain.
Many industries and groups now see this bill for what it is — harmful to consumers, to our economy, and to our communities. These individuals are trying to speak out against the legislation, only to face further threats and harm.