Americans may soon no longer be able to offer a penny for their thoughts — because the one-cent coin will be relegated to the ash heap of history.The House of Representatives voted to send the smallest piece of U.S.currency the way of the dodo on Monday, passing the bipartisan Common Cents Act in a unanimous vote.In addition to blocking the Treasury from minting any more pennies save for collector coins, the bill would also set up a framework for cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest five cents, in order to eliminate the need for pennies altogether.AMERICANS SAY TIPPING PRACTICES 'HAVE BECOME RIDICULOUS' AS DIGITAL PROMPTS PUSH HIGHER GRATUITIESSignage at the memorial site of the "funeral for the penny," months after U.S.
President Donald Trump's administration ordered the Treasury Department to halt production of the coins, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 20, 2025.(Annabelle Gordon/Reuters)An exception would be provided for cash wages, which must be rounded upwards if the total is not divisible by five cents.Existing pennies will still remain legal tender.TREASURY HAILS SUCCESS OF ANTI-FRAUD PROCESS THAT FLAGGED AND PREVENTED $99 MILLION IN PAYMENTS TO DEAD PEOPLEThe U.S.
Mint stopped producing pennies in November 2025 after 232 years of circulation.But an act of Congress, if signed into law by President Donald Trump, would ensure a future administration does not reverse course.Chairwoman Lisa McClain Hosts "A Warning to America: Stories from Survivors of Communism" Roundtable.
(Courtesy of House Republican Conference)The cost of minting pennies has risen dramatically in recent years, costing more than three times their value to produce as of 2025.The Treasury estimated an immediate annual savings of $56 million in a press release explaining the decision.The bill was led by House GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich., and Rep.
Robert Garcia, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.It builds on a pa...