The US Senate held a procedural vote on Monday that begins Floor consideration of the GENIUS Act (S. 394)—legislation focused on regulating payment stablecoins. An agreement was reached to allow amendments, which will allow the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA)—sponsored by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Dick Durbin (D-IL)—to be introduced as an amendment to the bill.

What is the CCCA?
The CCCA would increase competition in the credit card processing market to drive down exorbitant swipe fees, improve credit card security and innovation, and save US businesses and consumers more than an estimated $16 billion a year.

Interchange fees—set by just two dominant networks (Visa and Mastercard) that control over 80% of the market—have more than doubled in the past decade. Today, swipe fees are one of the highest operating costs for restaurants, behind food and labor.

This duopoly uses its market power to block alternative routing options, leaving businesses with no ability to negotiate the fees they must pay. Swipe fees now range from 2% to 4% of every transaction, making them the highest in the industrialized world. In 2024 alone, US businesses and consumers paid more than $187 billion in swipe fees, costing the average American family approximately $1,200.

The bipartisan, bicameral CCCA would require the nation’s largest banks to enable at least two credit card processing networks—one from the existing duopoly, and one from an alternative, independent network—to facilitate credit card payments.This would empower operators to choose between more secure and cost-effective networks when processing credit card transactions. This bill has been heavily opposed by the credit card companies and banking industries.

What’s Next?
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association, along with the National Restaurant Association and other state restaurant associations, have sent a letter to all US Senators encouraging them to support the CCCA amendment to the GENIUS Act. Watch the National Restaurant Association's 90-second video update here.

You can help make this change happen! Click here to reach out to Wisconsin's two US Senators to encourage their support.

Questions? Contact us!

Efforts to eliminate state and federal income taxes on tips are moving forward at both the state and federal level. Provisions to eliminate income taxes on tips are included in the House of Representatives budget reconciliation bill and earlier this week the Senate passed the No Tax on Tips bill authored by Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas. On the state level, SB 36, a bill authored by Senator Andre Jacque and Representative Ron Tussler, to eliminate state income tax on tips had a hearing in Senate Agriculture and Revenue Committee.

Eliminating income taxes on tips would put cash back in the pocket of a significant number of workers in the restaurant and hospitality industry and could help restaurant operators recruit the industry workforce. A no tax on tips bill is sensible legislation that will support our employees.

What is in the two federal bills?
US Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan federal No Tax on Tips bill, which includes protections for both restaurants and employees relating to the FICA tip tax credit, as well as still requiring employee contributions to Social Security, unemployment insurance and Medicare. All tips would need to be reported, even though income tax would not be deducted.

This is a very important component for our industry. It is critical for employees to demonstrate income to build credit and pay into federal benefit programs through FICA contributions. The Senate passed bill’s “no tax” provision applies to the first $25,000 earned in tips and restaurant operators must continue working with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to accurately report tips through current compliance efforts. The FICA tip credit (Sec. 45B of the federal tax code) and federal tip pooling requirements do not change.

The current House reconciliation bill also has a “no tax on tips” provision, but it sunsets in 2028 and there is no income limit until a person earns more than $151,000.

Two key components of both federal bills relate to how tips are defined and what occupations can take advantage of exemption.  The US Treasury Department will determine the traditionally tipped industries, which will include restaurants and hospitality. Cash tips are defined to include all voluntary tips received from customers, including charged tips (for example, credit and debit card charges) and tips received from other employees under any tip-sharing arrangement. Service charges, which are not voluntary payments by customers, are currently not counted as tips and that will continue under both bills.

​How about the state bill?
SB 36 simply eliminates state income tax on tips, by striking the word "tips" in state statutes relating to income tax. The definition of tips is not the same as the federal bills and other provisions in the federal bill are not addressed. At the state committee hearing, the WRA testified in support of SB 36, but asked the committee to consider amendments to the bill to mirror the federal tax treatment in Wisconsin. Having two different tax treatments would overcomplicate payroll calculations and create problems for restaurant operators.

WRA will keep update this alert page as these bills move forward at the state and federal level.

The Wisconsin Restaurant Association's Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch program will recognize the creativity, leadership and contributions of women across all hospitality industry sectors and career levels. This award program is an opportunity to celebrate women and highlight role models. 
 
From front of house to back of house to supplier partners. Executives to entrepreneurs. Emerging leaders to experienced leaders. Eligibility is open to professionals employed across all segments of this vibrant and diverse hospitality industry including restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, event spaces, educators, suppliers and beyond.

Nominees can be self-nominated or nominated by someone else. The Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch is in conjunction with the Women in Hospitality Conference on October 20, 2025.

The submission deadline is August 1, 2025