H.R.1730 - No Alipay Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1730, the "No Alipay Act of 2025," aims to prohibit all financial transactions between Alipay (China) Internet Technology Company Limited and United States persons. The bill defines "United States person" broadly, encompassing nationals, permanent residents, entities organized under US law, and individuals physically present in the United States. It defines "financial transaction" as any transaction affecting interstate or foreign commerce involving the movement of funds or the use of a financial institution engaged in such commerce.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 27, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Financial Services. The primary goal is to prevent US persons from using Alipay for financial transactions.
The bill's short title is the "No Alipay Act of 2025".
Expected Effects
If enacted, the No Alipay Act would prevent US individuals and entities from using Alipay for any financial transactions. This could impact individuals who use Alipay for convenience or necessity, as well as businesses that accept Alipay as a form of payment. The law would also likely lead to retaliatory measures from China, potentially impacting US businesses operating there.
This will likely lead to a decrease in the use of Alipay within the United States. It may also prompt users to seek alternative payment methods.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced national security by reducing the potential for foreign access to US financial data.
- Protection of US financial institutions from unfair competition by foreign entities.
- Potential reduction in the risk of illicit financial activities conducted through Alipay.
- Strengthening of US control over its financial system.
- Encouraging the use of domestic payment processing services.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential inconvenience for US consumers and businesses that rely on Alipay for transactions.
- Possible retaliatory measures from China, impacting US businesses operating there.
- Limited choice in payment options for consumers.
- Increased transaction costs if alternative payment methods have higher fees.
- Possible perception of protectionism, potentially harming international trade relations.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the US Constitution is complex. Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations under Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (the Commerce Clause). This power arguably extends to regulating financial transactions involving foreign entities like Alipay.
However, the bill could be challenged on grounds of potentially infringing on individual liberties or due process if it is overly broad or implemented in a discriminatory manner. The definitions of "United States person" and "financial transaction" would need to be carefully scrutinized to ensure they do not violate constitutional rights.
Furthermore, the bill does not appear to violate any specific amendments, such as the First Amendment regarding freedom of speech or the Fifth Amendment regarding due process, as long as it is applied fairly and without infringing on protected rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).