ABA Booksellers Gather in DC to Support the Credit Card Competition Act

Last night, about 50 American Booksellers Association (ABA) bookseller members from across the country traveled to DC to support the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), a bill that would require credit cards to be routed over at least two unaffiliated networks to allow small businesses a choice in taking credit card payments. One of the key goals of the legislation is to create price competition among competing networks. In preparation for the “fly-in”, ABA’s Advocacy team and the booksellers gathered at one of the locations for Busboys and Poets, an ABA member bookstore, to eat dinner and strategize. 

“The fact that 50 booksellers took time out of their busy schedules to travel to DC is a testament to how important swipe fee reform is,” said David Grogan, ABA's Director of Advocacy and Public Policy. “Congress has put this off for too long. It's time for lawmakers to support small businesses by passing a law that will create much-needed competition in the credit card market.”

This morning, the team met at the George Hotel with a larger consortium gathered by the National Association of Convenience Stores and Merchants Payment Coalition for breakfast and to prepare talking points. The purpose of the trip was to meet with members of Congress and the Senate to address the growing rates of credit card swipe fees. This has been a top priority this year for ABA and its advocacy efforts on behalf of members. 

The purpose of the fly-in was to illustrate to lawmakers the importance of passing the Credit Card Competition Act. Passage of the bill will create competition in the marketplace and reduce the costs of credit card processing fees — much like what happened for debit card transactions. The CCCA currently has bipartisan sponsorship and support but has failed to be introduced for a vote. With this visit, ABA hopes to influence legislators to support the bill when it does come up for vote. 

Pictured above, booksellers gathered at Busboys and Poets on Tuesday night to strategize. ABA's Director of Advocacy and Public Policy David Grogan (right) led the meeting.

Wednesday morning, booksellers met at the George Hotel (picture above, left) to prepare talking points before splitting into groups to meet with members of Congress and the Senate.