National Restaurant Association Unveils 2026 Policy Agenda on Immigration, Credit-Card Rules

The National Restaurant Association released a 2026 federal policy agenda on Feb. 19 calling on Congress and the Administration to prioritize comprehensive immigration reform, passage of the Credit Card Competition Act, and a favorable renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to stabilize an industry that employs more than 15.7 million people and operates over one million outlets.

The agenda frames the priorities around concrete cost and supply pressures: NRA materials note the industry contributes more than $3.5 trillion annually, food prices have increased by 37% since 2020, and median profit margins have fallen from 4% to 2.8% for full-service restaurants and from 6% to 4% for limited-service restaurants between 2019 and 2024. The association also highlighted a projection that restaurants are expected to create over 100,000 new jobs in 2026, arguing federal action can help those openings materialize.

On immigration the NRA pointed to a survey of more than 900 restaurant operators fielded Jan. 16–Feb. 6, 2026 that found 55% of operators experienced negative impacts from recent immigration policy changes; 37% reported drops in sales or customer traffic, 25% reported difficulties hiring or retaining staff, and 18% reported employees not showing up for work. The release stressed that nearly one in four restaurant workers are immigrants and included Michelle Korsmo’s statement: “These policy priorities are essential to strengthening the foundation of an industry that powers America’s economy and employs 1 in 10 people nationwide.” The NRA materials added that by advancing commonsense immigration reform, reducing swipe fee costs, and preserving a stable, affordable food supply, “we can help operators manage structural costs, stabilize their workforce, and continue serving their communities.”

The association singled out passage of the Credit Card Competition Act as a lever to “bring down operator costs” by lowering swipe fees. The agenda uses the phrase Credit Card Competition Act and lower swipe fees repeatedly and notes the measure has drawn bipartisan attention; outside analysis has stressed the Trump administration has been vocally supportive of the CCCA. The NRA also pointed to prior state‑level litigation and advocacy wins around swipe fees as background for the national push.

Trade and supply-chain stability make up the third pillar of the agenda. The NRA urged a favorable USMCA renewal in 2026, saying Mexico and Canada are the top suppliers of imported food and beverages for restaurants and pressing for continuation of tariff exemptions while opposing new tariffs that could push up menu prices and operator costs. “Preserving the USMCA keeps the restaurant food supply stable and affordable. We encourage the Administration to maintain the agreement and avoid new tariffs to help keep menu prices and operator costs in check,” Kennedy said in the republished materials.

The association’s 2026 stance sits amid political friction. Analysis included in the republished materials notes the White House has made strict immigration policy a centerpiece and that last April’s so‑called Liberation Day tariffs created trade uncertainty before the Supreme Court found many of those tariffs exceeded the president’s statutory authority and scrapped the measures. NRA observers have also flagged the group’s continuing priorities around joint‑employer rules and preserving the tip credit as part of its broader political playbook.

The NRA directly asked Congress and the Administration to make the three policy areas a 2026 priority, distributing the agenda widely after the Feb. 19 release at 07:00 ET. Operators and policymakers seeking the association’s advocacy materials are directed to its advocacy page and its @RestaurantsAct social account for the latest updates as fights over immigration, swipe fees, and USMCA renewal move toward potential votes this year.