Durbin Advocates For Protecting Consumers’ Privacy During Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing

August 04, 2026 Durbin Advocates For Protecting Consumers’ Privacy During Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing Durbin also pushed for the passage of his bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act to bring down the cost of swipe fees for consumers and small businesses WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement in a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Your Data, Their Profit: The Consumer Cost of AI Surveillance Pricing.” During his opening remarks, Durbin raised concerns about the collecting, tracking, and selling of consumer data online. In advocating for consumers, Durbin also pushed for the passage of his bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act , which would put an end to the Visa-Mastercard duopoly that is squeezing small businesses and consumers. Key Quotes: “Every click we make on the internet leaves a trail of personal data. We know that. That data is collected, tracked, and sold. Congress can address it.” “There’s another thing Congress can do right now for consumers and small businesses: pass the Credit Card Competition Act —a bipartisan bill I sponsor with Senator Marshall of Kansas. This bill would bring down the cost of swipe fees that Visa and Mastercard take out of every purchase we make with a credit card.” “For some small businesses, these swipe fees become their second or third largest expense, and many of them have been forced to raise prices as a result.” “Americans pay the highest swipe fees anywhere in the world. The Credit Card Competition Act would bring these down, leading to savings for businesses and lower prices for consumers.” Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here . Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here . Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations. -30- Print Email Share Tweet