OHI and a delegation of 22 campground owners and operators visited Washington, D.C., earlier this month to urge lawmakers to pass the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), a bipartisan measure intended to boost competition in credit card transaction fees.
The industry group has pushed for the legislation for more than three years, saying high swipe fees burden small businesses such as RV parks and campgrounds.
During this visit, 12 participants were first-time advocates, signaling broader engagement across 20 states.
Led by David Basler, OHI’s chief strategy officer, and Andrew Mills, government affairs strategist, the delegation met with lawmakers to push for the amendment’s inclusion in the Senate’s GENIUS Act, which focuses on regulating cryptocurrency.
According to a press release, Senators Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Richard Durbin, D-Ill., co-sponsors of the CCCA, introduced the amendment last month as part of the GENIUS Act.
However, the Senate rarely entertains amendments, and on June 11 approved a procedural motion to advance the bill without additional measures.
Despite the setback, OHI reported growing grassroots support for the CCCA, noting a surge in letters and calls urging action from senators.
“In the past several weeks we have seen a tremendous outpouring of demand that Congress address soaring credit card swipe fees that drive up the price of nearly everything consumers buy,” Basler said.
He added that OHI’s coalition, which includes military stores, Native American tribes, and major labor unions, intends to maintain pressure for reforms requiring the credit card industry to compete over fees.
The organization emphasized that small businesses face rising costs from swipe fees, which they say limit growth and raise prices for guests at campgrounds and RV parks.
OHI members sent nearly 350 letters and made numerous calls to senators.
“Our members represent small businesses that operate on razor-thin margins and credit card fees are one of their largest and fastest-growing expenses,” Basler says.
“This legislation will help level the playing field by introducing competition and putting choice back in the hands of our members, saving them an expected 15% annually on credit card fees.” Basler added.