House votes to eliminate one-cent coin permanently

<p>The House of Representatives voted on September 14, 2026, to eliminate the one-cent coin, passing the bipartisan Common Cents Act unanimously. The legislation will prevent the Treasury from minting any more pennies, except for collector coins, and will establish a framework for rounding cash transactions to the nearest five cents to eliminate the need for pennies.</p><p>An exception will be made for cash wages, which must be rounded upwards if the total is not divisible by five cents. Existing pennies will remain legal tender.</p><p>The U.S. Mint ceased production of pennies in November 2025 after 232 years of circulation. If signed into law by President Donald Trump, the act would prevent future administrations from reversing this decision.</p><p>The cost of minting pennies has increased significantly, costing more than three times their value to produce as of 2025. The Treasury estimated that eliminating the penny could save approximately $56 million annually.</p><p>The bill was sponsored by House GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich., and Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. This new legislation builds on a previous bill led by McClain that also aimed to stop penny production but did not include cash payment rounding provisions.</p><p>Additionally, the bill includes a provision allowing the U.S. Mint to produce nickels using cheaper materials. Congress will also monitor any disruptions caused by the new rule, directing the Treasury to assess its impact on low-income individuals, older consumers, and other affected groups.</p>