The Senate today may consider a credit union-opposed measure that would give retailers more flexibility in dealing with credit card issuers.

The amendment, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) would ease restrictions to allow merchants to give discounts to customers who pay by cash or debit cards rather than credit card, because credit card companies charge higher interchange fees for processing credit card payments. CUNA and NAFCU have been working with the banking trade associations to defeat the measure, which is backed by the National Retail Federation.

The Senate has debated many amendments to the bill, which places additional restrictions on the practices of credit card companies. The two amendments so far that have received the most attention are one that would have capped interest rates at 15%, which was defeated, and one that allowed carrying concealed weapons in national parks, which passed.