Democrat Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman teamed up with a GOP colleague, Republican North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer, to push a bill requiring businesses to accept cash for in-person purchases.
Fetterman and Cramer have introduced the legislation, titled the “Payment Choice Act,” on July 17.
The bill allows an exception if a machine is available that lets customers exchange cash for prepaid cards at no extra cost. (RELATED: Fetterman Might As Well Become A Republican After Latest Poll)
“Any person engaged in the business of selling or offering goods or services at retail to the public who accepts in-person payments at a physical location … shall accept cash as a form of payment for sales made at such physical location in amounts up to and including $500 per transaction,” the proposed legislation states.
You work hard for your money. You shouldn’t be limited on how to spend it.https://t.co/SyH8R6Z9dz pic.twitter.com/JC0tBJOwMC
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) July 21, 2025
In a joint statement, Cramer and Fetterman said the bill guarantees customers can pay with cash and won’t face extra fees for doing so.
“It’s simple: if you’re open for business in America, you should take U.S. dollars,” Fetterman said.
“I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Payment Choice Act with Senator Cramer because every American should be able to use paper currency if they choose,” he continued. “We have millions of people in this country who don’t have access to bank accounts, and they must be able to go shopping with their hard-earned dollars.” (RELATED: LYNN WESTMORELAND: Trump Saved Your Venmo And Cash App From Biden’s IRS Spies)
Cramer further highlighted concerns about restricting credit card use for certain purchases and limiting consumers’ choices in how they pay.
“Cash is still legal tender in the United States, despite some businesses’ exclusive acceptance of electronic payments,” he said.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 2: U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and David McCormick (R-PA) shake hands after the sixth installment of The Senate Project moderated by FOX NEWS anchor Shannon Bream at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate on June 2, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Senate Project is an initiative between the Kennedy Institute and the Hatch Foundation that brings together sitting US Senators from opposing parties for an Oxford-style exchange of ideas about current political issues before a live audience. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)
“Forcing the use of credit and debit cards or imposing premium prices on goods and services paid for with cash limits consumer choice,” Cramer said. “Americans should have the option of using cards or cash, but they should be the ones who make that choice.” (RELATED: John Fetterman Breaks With Democrats To Back Trump’s Bombing Of Iran)
The joint statement acknowledges that some Americans still lack checking or savings accounts — often those with lower incomes, less education or those who are part of minority demographic groups.
Though cash use has dropped in recent years, it still accounts for nearly 20% of all U.S. payments, according to a Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco report.
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