Contact Congress about S. 401: Fair Access to Banking Act

Large banks and credit unions that refuse to serve law-abiding customers could lose access to the Federal Reserve's lending programs and electronic payment networks. Payment card networks also cannot cut off lawful customers over political or reputational concerns.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Fair Access to Banking Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Latest action on S. 401: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Who this affects: The bill primarily targets large banks, credit unions, and payment card networks, but its impact reaches any person or business that has been denied banking services despite operating legally.

Why this matters: Large banks have increasingly used reputational risk and political pressure as reasons to cut off legal businesses. This bill draws a hard line: if someone follows the law, they get access to banking.

Key provisions in S. 401

• Applies mainly to banks, credit unions, and other depository institutions with more than $10 billion in total assets, and to payment card networks.
• Banks that refuse lawful customers lose access to the Federal Reserve's discount window — a key lending program banks depend on.
• Large banks, covered credit unions, and large state-chartered banks that refuse lawful customers are barred from using the ACH electronic payment network.
• Payment card networks cannot limit services to lawful customers based on political or reputational risk.
• The Comptroller of the Currency can impose civil penalties on payment card networks up to 10% of the value of services involved, capped at $10,000 per violation.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 401

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 401

What is S. 401?

Large banks and credit unions that refuse to serve law-abiding customers could lose access to the Federal Reserve's lending programs and electronic payment networks. Payment card networks also cannot cut off lawful customers over political or reputational concerns.

How do I support or oppose S. 401?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 401?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain S. 401 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.