Congress Passes Bill to Formally End Penny Production, Awaiting President Trump's Signature
The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan bill, known as The Common Cents Act, which formally ends the production of the penny after 234 years. The bill, co-sponsored by Reps. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., and Robert Garcia, D-Calif., is now headed to President Trump's desk, who is expected to sign it. The U.S. Mint had already ceased making pennies in 2025, and this legislation provides a legal endorsement of that decision. The penny, one of the first coins produced by the Mint in 1792, has become increasingly costly to manufacture, with each penny costing nearly four cents. Its usage has also declined significantly due to the rise of digital transactions. The bill aims to address the financial inefficiency of penny production and the practical challenges faced by retailers due to its dwindling circulation.
