Monica De La Cruz

Mr. Speaker, Reasoning · 13 wordsI rise today in support of Republican Conference Chairwoman McClain’s Common Cents Act. Claims · 34 wordsRather than spending more money producing a coin than the coin itself is worth, this straightforward, commonsense bill ensures that Congress is a good steward of taxpayers’ dollars by providing long-term fiscally responsible solutions. Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 5 wordslet’s look at the numbers.Procedure Claims · 69 wordsAccording to an audit of the United States Mint, it costs $3.69 to make a 1-cent penny.¹ In fact, for 19 consecutive years, the U.S. Government has spent more than one penny to make one penny.² In 2024 alone, taxpayers lost more than $85 million producing pennies.³ Chairwoman McClain’s bill eliminates that wasteful spending by codifying President Trump’s directive to the Mint to stop producing new pennies for circulation.⁴ Reasoning · 29 wordsHowever, we also need to make sure we are not solving one problem by creating another. If we stop making pennies, then Americans are likely to use more nickels, Claims · 92 wordsand at nearly 14 cents to produce nickels, they aren’t exactly a bargain either.⁵ That is why this bill gives the Treasury Secretary the flexibility to move a lower-cost composite for the nickel, again, saving taxpayers money.⁶ The bill also provides a clear uniform standard for rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel when exact change isn’t available, ensuring our small businesses have the certainty they need.⁷ Importantly, the bill keeps Congress informed by requiring Treasury to notify the House and Senate and explain their reasoning before discontinuing any additional circulating coins.⁸ Procedure · 4 wordsThis is very simple.Procedure Reasoning · 16 wordsThe Federal Government should not spend more money to make something than it is worth itself. Promise · 21 wordsWe should look for savings where we can, modernize outdated practices, and ensure businesses and consumers have certainty at the register. Mr. Speaker, Positioning · 10 wordsthis is what responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars looks like.Positioning Mr. Speaker, The ask · 12 wordsI urge my colleagues to support Chairwoman McClain’s bipartisan Common Cents Act, Procedure · 8 wordsand I reserve the balance of my time.Procedure