A bipartisan Senate duo is pushing legislation that would require brick-and-mortar businesses to accept cash payments from customers, saying paper money remains legal tender despite a general transition to electronic payments.
Sen. John Fetterman, Pennsylvania Democrat, and Sen. Kevin Cramer, North Dakota Republican, said Americans should be able to choose which form of payment they use and should not face surcharges from places that prefer card payments.
“It’s simple: If you’re open for business in America, you should take U.S. dollars,” Mr. Fetterman said.
The Payment Choice Act serves as a rebuke to eateries, stadium vendors and other entities that forsake cash and require credit or debit card payments.
Lawmakers said they are mindful of the 4.5% of U.S. households who do not have a checking or savings account. They said these Americans are more likely to be poor or a member of a minority group.
“We have millions of