GOP lawmaker says he’s not attempting to block NDAA
Wall Street and payment network lobbyists argue in an intense campaign that the bill would benefit big box retailers at the expense of consumers.
TroibNews 
Sen. Roger Marshall is pushing to open up the amendment process on the annual defense bill in a bid to advance a contested measure that would crack down on credit card swipe fees.
The Kansas Republican on Thursday told POLITICO that he was not trying to hold up any votes on the National Defense Authorization Act, though he expressed serious concern with the amendment process.
“I have no desire to derail the NDAA and have always supported our military,” Marshall said in a statement. “I want an open amendment process where we all have the opportunity to bring forth our priorities and make our case. “This is a basic right for members of this Chamber, and I am not alone in my frustration with this process.”
Earlier Thursday, four people familiar with the discussions told POLITICO that Marshall was threatening to throw up hurdles in a bid to attach an amendment to the NDAA that would force the major payment networks to compete on the swipe fees that merchants pay in exchange for accepting credit cards.
Marshall, along with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), reintroduced a bill targeting credit card payment networks last month — sparking a lobbying battle between Wall Street banks and retailers. Marshall and Durbin filed related amendments on the NDAA earlier this month.
“Folks living paycheck to paycheck and small businesses back home deserve relief. We have a bipartisan bill, now a potential amendment, which provides that and should be considered,” Marshall said. “In the face of spending nearly $900B on the military, perhaps we can give some much-needed relief to hard-working Americans and seniors on fixed incomes.”
