The Credit Card Competition Act is being sold as a measure to reduce swipe fees and help small businesses. But beneath its appealing name lies a policy that would do the opposite, especially for minority-owned businesses and the underserved families who depend on affordable credit.

My doctoral research examined the factors influencing minority business success, and the evidence is clear: Access to credit is a critical resource. Small businesses and specifically minority entrepreneurs — already facing structural barriers — rely on credit cards for working capital, purchasing inventory and navigating cash-flow gaps. Minority households, too, rely on credit cards to build credit histories and manage emergencies.

The CCCA threatens this essential access. By forcing banks to route credit tran

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