The House of Representatives voted unanimously on Monday to pass the bipartisan legislation, officially ending production of the smallest piece of United States currency.
Characterizing the historic legislative action, congressional records noted that the coin will be sent “the way of the dodo” and relegated to “the ash heap of history”.
Describing the cultural phaseout of the long-standing coin, commentators remarked that Americans may soon no longer be able to offer “a penny for their thoughts”.
This sweeping legislative measure formally blocks the Treasury Department from minting further one-cent coins while reserving an exception for special collector coins.
To ensure smooth commercial transactions nationwide, the bill establishes a framework requiring cash payments to be rounded to the nearest five cents.
Protecting American workers from financial loss, lawmakers included a protective provision mandating that cash wages must be rounded upwards whenever totals are not divisible by five cents.
Federal monetary authorities confirmed that all existing pennies currently in public circulation will permanently remain legal tender throughout the country.
The decisive vote follows the United States Mint decision to halt standard penny production in November 2025 after 232 years of continuous distribution.
If signed into law by President Donald Trump, this act of Congress will permanently prevent future presidential administrations from reversing the termination.
Highlighting severe economic inefficiency, financial reports showed minting a single penny cost more than three times its face value by 2025.
Addressing government waste, Treasury Department officials estimated that ending production will yield an immediate annual savings of $56 million.
Co-sponsoring the bipartisan legislation, House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain and Representative Robert Garcia spearheaded congressional support for the currency reform.
Expanding cost-cutting measures beyond the penny, the bill grants the United States Mint authority to produce nickels using cheaper alternative metals.
Addressing potential social impacts, Congress instructed federal regulators to study transition effects on low-income individuals, older consumers, and debanked populations.