Consumer Choice in Payment Coalition

AMOA is a founding member of the Consumer Choice in Payment Coalition (CCPC), a coalition of industry groups, companies and consumer groups advocating for consumer choice and for preserving the right to use cash to pay for goods and services in the marketplace.

Since founding in 2020, the CCPC has:

  • Drafted and introduced House and Senate federal legislation that would prohibit retailers from prohibiting cashless transactions.

  • Expanded the coalition to consumer groups, international groups, and other interested parties.

  • Interacted directly with key House and Senate staff as well as Members of Congress in support of the legislation.

  • Drafted and sent letters from the Coalition to prominent retailers in support of a cash payment option.

  • Conducted Congressional staff briefings.

  • Drafted and placed op-eds and statements in support of maintaining the cash payment option.

  • Maintained website and twitter accounts and other social media in support of cash-friendly policies.

  • Regular monitoring of news media, trade publications and websites, and other media to identify and circulate to Coalition members pertinent articles and reports of events or public statements supporting or opposing continued maintenance of cash as a payment option for U.S. consumers.

Update: July 21, 2022

AMOA sent out a legislative call to action notice to members regarding the Payment Choice Act.  We would first like to extend a sincere thanks to those members who took immediate action and reached out to their respective U.S. senators.

AMOA has been working together with several other organizations on getting this vital piece of legislation passed, and we continue to get closer!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

If you haven’t done so already, we strongly encourage AMOA members to make outreach to your Senator and ask them to sign on to this important piece of legislation.  Please send an email or make a call to their office to voice your support for S. 4497, the Payment Choice Act.

Don’t know how to find your Representative or Senator?  Click on the below link to be directed to your local representative.  Find Your Members in the U.S. Congress | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

Below are talking points along with recent background on the legislation.

There has been a trend toward cashless transactions that has trickled down to brick and mortar businesses not accepting cash.  Not only is this a problem for consumers who prefer cash for personal choice or privacy and security concerns, but it is also devastating to the unbanked and has a 10-fold impact on low-income communities who may not have access to credit. 

AMOA has voiced your concerns on the Hill and are pleased to see both the House and Senate have introduced the Payment Choice Act.  In the House it was introduced by Rep. Donald Payne (D, NJ-10) and Rep. Chris Smith (R, NJ-4).  Our Senate sponsors are Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ).  We applaud their efforts to protecting consumers right to use cash as legal tender. The bipartisan legislation would prohibit retail businesses from refusing to accept cash as a form of payment and charging a higher price for using cash than for other forms of payment.

Last week, the Payment Choice Act was added as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) a “must pass” piece of legislation in the House of Representatives and was agreed to by a voice vote.  It will now move to the Senate.

As always, we appreciate all your participation in engaging with our Congressional leaders on these issues that significantly impact the AMOA.  Your direct outreach and small touches have a large impact.

Should you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to reach out

Join our coalition, because protecting cash protects consumers!

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