U.S. House votes to permanently end penny production

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted unanimously to pass the Common Cents Act, a piece of legislation designed to permanently end the production of the one-cent coin. While the U.S. Mint ceased minting new pennies in November 2025, this bill prevents the Treasury from restarting production in the future.

Under the proposed law, cash transactions would be rounded to the nearest five cents to accommodate the absence of pennies. Existing pennies currently in circulation will remain legal tender for all debts, taxes, and dues. If the bill passes the Senate, it is expected to take effect one year after enactment.

The move follows economic concerns regarding the cost of production. The U.S. Mint reported that the cost to produce a single penny has risen from 1.42 cents to 3.69 cents over the last decade. The Treasury estimates that ending production could result in annual savings of approximately $56 million. The initiative aligns with previous directives from President Trump, who characterized the continued minting of pennies as wasteful.