Visa Inc. has broken with its customary practice or not speaking directly on the issue of card interchange to comment explicitly on the amendment to regulate card interchange sponsored by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.).

"We are disappointed that Senator Durbin has decided to force unrelated legislation into the financial reform package at the eleventh hour without a hearing or debate," the card brand said in a prepared statement. "Thursday's vote is another step in a lengthy legislative process. We're hopeful that when the issue is fully reviewed by members of Congress during the next phase of negotiations, they will conclude the amendment harms consumers, credit unions and community banks and should be eliminated from the bill."

"Visa will continue to work with policymakers to educate them about this flawed legislation that imposes price controls on debit products and allows retailers to dictate which payment card is used by consumers at the point of sale," the card brand added.

Visa contended that the Durbin amendment ignores benefits that debit cards offer over checks, including guaranteed payments to merchants and greater security and increased sales. Visa also noted that the Government Accountability Office has previously reported that changes to card interchange would not translate into cost savings for consumers.