Donald Payne Introduces Cash Payment, Rail Worker Sick Leave Bills

NEW JERSEY — U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. of New Jersey has re-introduced a proposed federal law that would make it illegal for retail businesses to reject cash payments across the nation.

Payne – who represents several towns and cities in the state’s 10th District – also recently introduced a bill that would provide seven days of paid sick leave to railroad workers across the U.S.

Read more about each proposed law below.

The recently redrawn 10th District includes Caldwell, East Orange, Essex Fells, Irvington, Montclair (part), Newark (part), Orange, Verona and West Orange in Essex County; Jersey City in Hudson County; and Cranford, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden (part), Roselle, Roselle Park and Union Township in Union County.

PAYMENT CHOICE ACT

On Wednesday, Payne reintroduced the Payment Choice Act, a proposed law that would make it illegal for retail businesses to reject cash for in-person, consumer transactions at stores nationwide.

Here’s the problem, Payne said:

“Currently, there are 55 million Americans who are unable to pay for necessities with a credit card, debit card, or digital payment. These Americans would be left out of the economy completely if cash is banned. Another issue with digital payments is the privacy of economic transactions. Americans need a payment option that protects them from the fraud, identity theft, and data collecting that can occur during digital payments. Data collection is a $200 billion industry and recent company data breaches in the U.S. and worldwide have revealed private information on millions of customers. In addition, cash is the only way to pay for items during a natural disaster. If a hurricane or other catastrophe were to knock out a power grid anywhere in the country, Americans would not be able to pay for critical, life-saving supplies to protect them and their families.”

“Every American should have the right to pay in cash,” Payne said.

“There are too many stores and businesses that want to reject it in favor of digital payments,” the congressman continued. “But cash is the only option available for millions of Americans to pay for food, housing and other essentials.”

“In addition, I am concerned about the safety and privacy of the data that companies are collecting from consumers during routine purchases,” he added.

PAID SICK LEAVE FOR RAIL WORKERS

In May, Payne introduced a bill that would provide seven days of paid sick leave to railroad workers in the U.S.

The bill – dubbed the Freight Rail Workforce Health and Safety Act – would allow rail employees to care for their health or the health of a family member without using their allotted vacation time.

If it passes, the bill would allow railroad workers to have a health benefit provided to millions of working Americans in other professions, Payne said.

“I am disappointed that the railroad industry did not provide this benefit on their own, especially when you consider it provides this benefit to railroad management,” the congressman said, referring to a recent national labor standoff between rail workers and their employers.

• See Related: Rep. Payne Blames Rail Industry As Nationwide Strike Threat Looms

“These workers risked their health during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep food and medicine on store shelves,” Payne said. “They deserve paid leave to care for their own health.”

According to Payne’s office, 75 percent of private industry workers have access to paid sick days, including the management at freight railroads. Instead of offering paid sick leave, freight railroads have spent more than $200 billion in stock buybacks since 2010.

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