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US HR1181

US HR1181
Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act


summary

Introduced
02/11/2025
In Committee
12/17/2025
Crossed Over
07/15/2026
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

119th Congress

Bill Summary

AN ACT To prohibit payment card networks and covered entities from requiring the use of or assigning merchant category codes that distinguish a firearms retailer from generalmerchandise retailer or sporting-goods retailer, and for other purposes.

AI Summary

This bill, titled the "Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act," prohibits payment card networks and covered entities (companies that process credit, debit, or prepaid transactions) from using or assigning specific merchant category codes (MCCs) that distinguish a firearms retailer from general merchandise or sporting goods retailers. MCCs are multi-digit codes used to classify businesses based on their services. The bill aims to prevent the creation of a unique MCC solely for businesses selling firearms, ammunition, or related components, thereby protecting the privacy of customers purchasing these items. The Attorney General is tasked with enforcing this prohibition, investigating complaints, and taking legal action if violations are not remedied within 30 days of notice; however, the bill explicitly states there is no private right of action for individuals to sue. It also preempts any state or local laws that regulate MCCs for firearms retailers in a way that conflicts with this federal prohibition, while still allowing compliance with other federal, state, or local regulations related to transaction integrity and security. The Attorney General will also report annually to Congress on enforcement activities and the effectiveness of the Act.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry, Housing and Urban Affairs

Sponsors (133)

Riley Moore (R)* Robert Aderholt (R),  Mark Amodei (R),  Jodey Arrington (R),  Brian Babin (R),  Don Bacon (R),  Andy Barr (R),  Michael Baumgartner (R),  Aaron Bean (R),  Nicholas Begich (R),  Jack Bergman (R),  Andy Biggs (R),  Sheri Biggs (R),  Gus Bilirakis (R),  Lauren Boebert (R),  Mike Bost (R),  Buddy Carter (R),  Ben Cline (R),  Michael Cloud (R),  Andrew Clyde (R),  Mike Collins (R),  James Comer (R),  Dan Crenshaw (R),  Warren Davidson (R),  Monica De La Cruz (R),  Scott DesJarlais (R),  Troy Downing (R),  Chuck Edwards (R),  Jake Ellzey (R),  Ron Estes (R),  Gabe Evans (R),  Mike Ezell (R),  Pat Fallon (R),  Julie Fedorchak (R),  Randy Feenstra (R),  Brad Finstad (R),  Michelle Fischbach (R),  Scott Fitzgerald (R),  Chuck Fleischmann (R),  Scott Franklin (R),  Russell Fry (R),  Brandon Gill (R),  Craig Goldman (R),  Tony Gonzales (R),  Lance Gooden (R),  Paul Gosar (R),  Sam Graves (R),  Mark Green (R),  Glenn Grothman (R),  Michael Guest (R),  Brett Guthrie (R),  Abraham Hamadeh (R),  Mike Haridopolos (R),  Pat Harrigan (R),  Andy Harris (R),  Mark Harris (R),  Diana Harshbarger (R),  Kevin Hern (R),  Clay Higgins (R),  Ashley Hinson (R),  Richard Hudson (R),  Bill Huizenga (R),  Wesley Hunt (R),  Jeff Hurd (R),  Darrell Issa (R),  Brian Jack (R),  Ronny Jackson (R),  Dave Joyce (R),  Trent Kelly (R),  Mike Kennedy (R),  David Kustoff (R),  Nick LaLota (R),  Doug LaMalfa (R),  Nick Langworthy (R),  Bob Latta (R),  Laurel Lee (R),  Julia Letlow (R),  Barry Loudermilk (R),  Tracey Mann (R),  Lisa McClain (R),  Addison McDowell (R),  John McGuire (R),  Mark Messmer (R),  Dan Meuser (R),  Mary Miller (R),  Max Miller (R),  John Moolenaar (R),  Barry Moore (R),  Blake Moore (R),  Tim Moore (R),  Nathaniel Moran (R),  Greg Murphy (R),  Troy Nehls (R),  Dan Newhouse (R),  Zach Nunn (R),  Burgess Owens (R),  Jimmy Patronis (R),  Scott Perry (R),  August Pfluger (R),  Guy Reschenthaler (R),  Mike Rogers (R),  John Rose (R),  David Rouzer (R),  Michael Rulli (R),  John Rutherford (R),  Derek Schmidt (R),  Austin Scott (R),  Pete Sessions (R),  Jefferson Shreve (R),  Adrian Smith (R),  Pete Stauber (R),  Elise Stefanik (R),  Greg Steube (R),  Dale Strong (R),  Marlin Stutzman (R),  David Taylor (R),  Claudia Tenney (R),  Tom Tiffany (R),  William Timmons (R),  David Valadao (R),  Jeff Van Drew (R),  Beth Van Duyne (R),  Derrick Van Orden (R),  Ann Wagner (R),  Tim Walberg (R),  Randy Weber (R),  Daniel Webster (R),  Tony Wied (R),  Roger Williams (R),  Joe Wilson (R),  Steve Womack (R),  Rudy Yakym (R),  Ryan Zinke (R), 

Last Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (on 07/15/2026)

Bill Topics

Banking, Finance, and Domestic Commerce
  • ‐ Consumer Finance and Credit, including Credit Cards
Civil Rights, Minority Issues, and Civil Liberties
  • ‐ Right to Privacy and Access to Government Information
Law, Crime, and Family Issues
  • ‐ Firearms and Gun Control

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