MEMBER OF CONGRESS

J. French Hill

Republican AR 23 statements translated

Hill frequently advocates for legislation that benefits his home state and district, like bringing military projects to Arkansas. He tends to focus on financial and economic issues, pushing for fewer regulations on small banks and community financial institutions. Hill speaks supportively of law enforcement and the military.

House of Representatives

Common Cents Act

2026-07-14

“I want to stop making pennies. Pennies cost more than they are worth. I don't want to spend more taxpayer money on pennies. We should make nickels different and cheaper. Some people already round to the nearest nickel. I want a rule for how to round to nickels. I say this will save taxpayer money. I ask my colleagues to support this bill.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the House floor in support of Republican Conference Chairwoman McClain's bill, the Common Cents Act. This is a simple, common ``cents'' bill aimed at saving taxpayer dollars and modernizing a part of our currency system that no longer makes economic sense. The numbers speak for themselves. According to an audit of the United States Mint, it costs $3.69 to make one penny. That is the 19th year in a row, Mr. Speaker, the government has spent more to make a penny than a penny is worth. Last year alone, taxpayers lost more than $85 million producing pennies. Chairwoman McClain's bill simply codifies President Trump's directive to the Mint to stop producing pennies. Of course, we have to be practical. If we are going to no longer make pennies, people are likely to use more nickels. The problem is that nickels aren't exactly a bargain either and the gentleman from Massachusetts knows it. They cost nearly 14 cents to produce, so we need to make sure we don't solve one problem by creating another one. That is why Mrs. McClain's bill also gives the U.S. Treasury Secretary the authority to move to a lower cost, zinc-based nickel to ensure that increased nickel demand is not mitigating the savings due to the elimination of the penny. The bill also addresses something retailers and consumers are already experiencing. With fewer pennies available, many cash transactions are rounded to the nearest nickel. H.R. 3074 provides a clear, uniform standard for how these transactions can be rounded, giving businesses certainty and ensuring everyone is playing by the same rules. This bill is about good stewardship of taxpayer dollars. It is about recognizing when government can do things more efficiently, making smart updates where they are needed, and saving money in the process. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3074, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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“I want taxpayers to spend less on making pennies. I say this bill will save money.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the CBO estimate for this legislation. EFFECTS ON DIRECT SPENDING AND REVENUES OF LEGISLATION CONSIDERED UNDER SUSPENSION OF THE RULES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WEEK OF JULY 13, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- H.R. 3074........................ Common Cents Act, as Increase by Less None............... ................... ........... https:// amended. Than $500K. docs.house.gov/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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“I don't want the government to make pennies anymore. I want cash purchases to round to the nearest five cents.”