To the editor:

The United States is home to the highest swipe fee rates in the industrialized world, adding up to nearly $140 billion a year. For far too long, small businesses like mine have been struggling to cover this ever-rising cost. In fact, swipe fees are my second-highest overhead expense, falling only behind the cost of labor.

That’s why I appreciate Senator Roger Marshall taking a stand against the Visa and Mastercard duopoly and introducing the Credit Card Competition Act, a bill that would inject competition into the payments market for the first time.

More processing options means more competitive swipe fee rates that benefit businesses and the consumers currently shouldering these excess costs. Congress must prioritize providing real economic relief to Kansans and pass the Credit Card Competition Act now.

Terry Presta

Olathe