Congressman Robert Garcia and Congresswoman Lisa McClain Pass “Common Cents Act” to End Production of the Penny

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) and Congresswoman Lisa McClain (MI-09) announced that the "Common Cents Act," which would legally end the minting of the penny and allow the option for businesses to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel, has passed out of the House of Representatives.

"When it comes to taking on waste and making sure our tax dollars are spent wisely, it's common sense that we should stop making a coin that costs nearly four times more than it's worth to produce," said Congressman Robert Garcia. "At a time when we should be focused on improving government efficiency, ending penny production is an obvious place to start."

"Washington has a spending problem, and it shows up in places big and small," said Congresswoman Lisa McClain. "If the federal government is spending more to make a penny than the penny is worth, something is broken. House Republicans are proving that common sense still has a place in government by cutting waste and protecting taxpayer dollars."

The bill follows the successful elimination of one-cent coins in several other countries, including Australia and Canada. As of 2026, the U.S. Mint ceased production of the penny. Non-cash transactions, such as credit card, debit card, mobile phone payments, and checks, would not be affected. All existing pennies would remain legal tender. The bill allows the Treasury the option to test a redesigned, lower-cost nickel that must ensure it saves money while continuing to work in vending machines.

The cost of producing a penny is roughly 3.7 times its face value, driven by rising metal prices. By eliminating the penny, this bill aims to reduce unnecessary costs, save taxpayer money, and streamline the U.S. currency system, eliminating waste and making it more efficient for both consumers and businesses.

In 2025, Congressman Robert Garcia and Congresswoman Lisa McClain introduced the Common Cents Act. Congressman Garcia is dedicated to eliminating waste, improving government efficiency, and saving taxpayer dollars. Last Congress, two of Congressman Garcia's bipartisan bills, the Eliminate Useless Reports Act and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Inspector General Parity Act aimed at improving government efficiency were signed into law, which will save taxpayer dollars and promote more accountable government operations. Congressman Garcia previously introduced the FLASH Act (Fast-Track Logistics for Acquiring Supplies in a Hurry Act) to streamline procurement processes within the Department of Health and Human Services during emergencies. This legislation would eliminate waste, reduce delays, and ultimately save taxpayer dollars while streamlining access to essential resources.

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