Common Cents Act

The House debated the Common Cents Act, which would direct the Treasury to stop producing pennies (except for collectors), require cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest five cents, and allow the Mint to produce nickels with cheaper metals. Supporters from both parties said pennies cost more to make than they are worth—roughly four cents per penny, wasting tens of millions of dollars a year—and that the bill gives businesses and consumers clear rounding rules; pennies already in circulation would remain legal tender. Democrats noted the administration had already stopped penny production and said the legislation provides an orderly transition where an earlier unilateral effort had not. The bill was brought up under a suspension of the rules, and a cost estimate was entered into the record.Written by AI from the debate. Updated 2026-10-17.

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