Starbucks Encourages Congress to Pay it Forward with Free Coffee

In an effort to persuade lawmakers to end their dispute, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz will give away free coffee to customers who prove they are positive members of their community.

The coffee chain will offer a free tall brewed coffee to any customer in the U.S. who buys another person's beverage for them.

Schultz said the offer will help citizens "support and connect with one another, even as we wait for our elected officials to do the same for our country," in a staff memo Tuesday.

The offer will stand until Friday.