Retailers Urge Bipartisan Solutions Ahead of State of the Union

By [ Austen Jensen ]
Washington, DC
02/24/2026

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement ahead of President Trump’s State of the Union address:

“The American people want to hear about bipartisan solutions that will improve their everyday lives and make household necessities affordable,” said Austen Jensen, RILA’s senior executive vice president of public affairs.

“In the wake of the Supreme Court decision in Learning Resources vs. Trump, the time is optimal for President Trump and Congress to work together to chart a trade policy that will achieve the administration’s goals to grow the economy, create jobs and protect our national security.

“Additionally, Congress should quickly move the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), legislation that would deliver tangible benefits to the American public.

“The CCCA would end the long-standing, unfair duopoly in the credit card market and restore meaningful competition to the payments arena. For too long, the two dominant credit card networks have imposed excessive fees on Main Street businesses that accept credit cards and congressional action is needed to bring reform to the market.

“By bringing more stability to the trade landscape and ensuring competition in the payments system, Congress and the president can deliver solutions that will help Americans.”

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Media Contact: press@rila.org

RILA is the U.S. trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate.

RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $2.7 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and hundreds of thousands of stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.