Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) has taken a stand alongside colleagues, urging the U.S. Treasury Department and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reconsider a move away from paper checks. With a Trump Administration executive order set to halt the issuance of paper checks for government payments by September 30, Shaheen, along with Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1) and Jared Golden (D-ME-2), has highlighted the potential impact on millions of Americans, particularly those in vulnerable demographics.
In their joint statement, the lawmakers pointed out that "Over 5 million households across the United States do not have a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union," according to shaheen.senate.gov. Citing high rates among those who cannot meet minimum balance requirements or choose not to use these institutions over trust or privacy concerns, they argued the need to continue issuing paper checks for government benefits, including Social Security and veterans' compensation.
The group stressed the importance of paper checks for older and disabled adults, as well as those living in rural areas or on Tribal lands where digital infrastructure is lacking. They noted, "According to the Federal Communications Commission, 22.3 percent of Americans in rural areas and 27.7 percent of Americans on Tribal lands lack reliable broadband coverage," per shaheen.senate.gov, which severely limits their access to online financial services.
Moreover, the senators pointed out the economic role of the domestic forest products industry, which they say "manufactures over $435 million worth of products—including paper products that would be impacted by this decision—and directly employs more than 925,000 people across the country," as reported by shaheen.senate.gov. They conclude, "Continuing the use of paper checks supports our domestic pulp and paper industry," according to shaheen.senate.gov, as well as consumer choice.
While individuals can seek waivers to receive paper checks, the process is described as unnecessarily cumbersome. There is little transparency on whether the Department of Treasury has the workforce to process these waiver applications, or if those holding current waivers will have to re-apply. As the September 30 deadline approaches, uncertainty looms for thousands who depend on paper checks for their livelihood and day-to-day transactions.
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