ND0516111

Title: Washington Report: Vote Coming to Delay Swipe Fee Reform

Description: One year after passage, efforts are still escalating to kill important debit card swipe fee reform.

Page Content:

Week Ahead
Last week marked the one-year anniversary of passage of the Durbin Amendment. Today, our efforts are still under attack by the banking lobby, which is urging members of Congress to delay (i.e., kill) enactment of the law.

With time running short on the number of legislative days remaining in the Senate this month, it is essential that your senators hear from you ? ask that they vote against Senator Tester?s (D-MT) two-year delay of the Durbin swipe fee reform amendment. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has agreed to bring Tester?s amendment to the Senate for a vote. Even if you have already contacted your senators, please double back and make sure they understand what this means for your business. Write your senators at nacsonline.com/swipefeesletter.

Week in Review
On May 10, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced S. 937, which seeks to repeal barriers to domestic fuel production, increase transparency in the Loan Guarantee Program, promote algae-based fuel, promote synthetic natural gas and allow the department of defense to enter into 20-year contracts for purchasing alternative fuels.

On May 13, Republican members of the House Education and the Workforce Committee demanded the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) end its job-destroying activist agenda. In a letter to NLRB Acting General Counsel Lafe Solomon, the GOP signors describe a number of actions by the Obama labor board that call into question the objectivity and credibility of the office.

Other Stories:

• Sen. Reid Will Bring Swipe Fee Delay Amendment to Senate
  The senator majority leader said he personally opposes Tester?s amendment to delay the regulations for two years.
• Opinion: Understanding Why Banks Oppose Debit-Card Reform
  Simon Johnson explains why the Independent Community Bankers of America supports the Tester amendment.
• Not So Fast
  Judge stays ruling on collection of cigarette taxes from Indian reservation sales.
• New York Will Collect Taxes on Tribe Cigarette Sales
  A federal appeals court ruled that the state could ask the tribes for taxes from purchases made by non-Indians.
• Retailers Advertise Cash Discounts to Save on Swipe Fees
  The businesses say they reap more benefits by offering lower prices for customers who pay cash.
• Bill Seeks to Prevent FDA Cigar Regulation
  H.R. 1639 seeks to protect premium cigars from being legislated by the FDA.
• Washington Report: Make Your Voice Heard on Swipe Fee Reform
  Now is the time to take action and protect your business from high swipe fees.
  

Content Subject: Government Relations

Formatted Article Date: May 16, 2011

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