Republican And Democrat Team Up To Bring Back Long-Lost Business Practice
Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman has teamed up with a GOP colleague, the Northern Dakota Republican Senator, Kevin Cramer, to push a bill forcing companies to accept money for purchases in person.
Fetterman and Cramer introduced the legislation, entitled “Payment Choice Act” on July 17.
The invoice allows an exception if a machine is available that allows customers to exchange species for prepaid cards at no additional cost. (Related: Fetterman could just as easily become republican after the last survey)
“Any person engaged in the field of sale or supply of retail goods or services which accepts payments in person in a physical location … will accept species as a payment of payment made to this physical location in amounts up to $ 500 per transaction,” indicates the proposed legislation.
You work hard for your money. You should not be limited on how to spend it.https: //t.co/SyH8R6Z9DZZZ pic.twitter.com/jc0tbjowmc
– American senator John Fetterman (@senfettermanpa) July 21, 2025
In a joint declaration, Cramer and Fetterman said that the invoice guarantees that customers can pay in cash and will not face additional costs to do this.
“It’s simple: if you are open to business in America, you should take American dollars,” said Fetterman.
“I am proud to present the law on the choice of bipartisan payment with the Senator Cramer because each American should be able to use the currency paper if they wish,” he continued. “We have millions of people in this country who do not have access to bank accounts, and they must be able to shop with their hard -won dollars.” (Related: Lynn Westmoreland: Trump saved your Veno and Cash application from Biden’s Irs Spies)
Cramer also stressed concerns about restricting the use of credit cards for certain purchases and limiting consumers’ choices in the way they pay.
“Money is still legal in the United States, despite the exclusive acceptance by certain companies of electronic payments,” he said.
Bost, Massachusetts-June 2: American senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and David McCormick (R-P-PA) serve the hand after the sixth episode of the Senate project hosted by Fox News Shannon Bream at the Edward Mr. 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 which brings together American senators to oppose opposite parties for an exchange of Oxford style ideas on current political issues in front of a live audience. (Photo of Scott Eisen / Getty Images)
“Forcing the use of credit and debit cards or imposing bonus prices on goods and services paid with the cash flow limits of consumer choice,” said Cramer. “Americans should have the possibility of using cards or money, but it should be those who make this choice.” (Related: John Fetterman breaks with Democrats to support the bombing of Iran by Trump)
The joint declaration acknowledges that some Americans still lack checks or savings accounts – often those with lower income, less education or those who are part of minority demographic groups.
Although cash use has dropped in recent years, it still represents almost 20% of all American payments, according to a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
