Missouri Senator Josh Hawley works to cap credit card interest rates

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Capping Credit Card Interest Rates Act, new legislation that would cap credit card interest rates at common sense levels, bringing relief to working people across America.

“Americans are being crushed under the weight of record credit card debt—and the biggest banks are just getting richer,” said Senator Hawley. “The government was quick to bail out the banks just this spring, but has ignored working people struggling to get ahead. Capping the maximum credit card interest rate is fair, common-sense, and gives the working class a chance.”

Cumulative consumer credit card debt recently surpassed one trillion dollars, the highest level in history. Last year, many major credit cards soared past the 30 percent interest rate threshold for the first time, and now the average rate of interest is hitting a record level. This means working people face higher financial burdens at the same exact time the biggest banks are booking bumper profits and wielding immense power over the market.

Senator Hawley’s Capping Credit Card Interest Rates Act would:

• Cap the annual percentage rate (APR) for credit cards at 18 percent.
• Prevent credit card companies from imposing new fees to evade the cap.
• Impose penalties on credit card companies that violate the cap.

Read the full bill text here.