Congress has passed the bipartisan Common Cents Act to end production of the penny, with the measure awaiting President Donald Trump’s signature, according to the reports. Fox News said the House and Senate each approved the bill unanimously earlier this year, while Fox 5 Atlanta reported that the Senate’s action sent it to the president.
The legislation also permits the Treasury Department to examine less costly materials for producing nickels, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. The Treasury Department announced last December that the U.S. Mint would stop making pennies, Fox News said, adding that each penny then cost more than three times its face value to produce. Support for ending nickel production remains unclear, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.