U.S. House Committee Advances Legislation to End Penny Production
Legislation to permanently end the production of pennies has advanced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Seattle Tacoma, WA, September 15, 2026 — A legislative effort to permanently halt the production of the one-cent coin, commonly known as the penny, has made progress in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, which seeks to eliminate the penny from circulation, has advanced through a committee process in the House.
The specific details regarding the committee that advanced the legislation, as well as the exact date of this advancement, were not provided in the available summary. Further information concerning the bill’s title, its sponsors, or the legislative body it originated from within the House was also not specified.
Should this legislation be enacted, it would signify a significant shift in U.S. coinage. The penny, first minted in its current form in 1793, has long been a subject of debate. Proponents of eliminating the penny often cite the rising costs associated with its production, which frequently exceed its face value. Additionally, arguments are made that the penny holds little purchasing power in the modern economy and that its elimination could streamline cash transactions and reduce waste.
Conversely, opposition to ending penny production often centers on tradition and the coin’s symbolic value. Some groups argue that eliminating the penny could lead to rounding up of prices, effectively increasing costs for consumers, although economic analyses on this point vary. The history of currency elimination in the United States, such as the phasing out of the half-cent coin, provides historical precedent for such changes.
The current status of the legislation indicates it has moved past an initial hurdle within the House, but its future path would typically involve further committee reviews, floor debates, and potential votes in both the House and the Senate, followed by a signature from the President to become law. The precise timeline for these subsequent legislative steps was not detailed in the summary.
The cost of producing pennies has been a recurring concern for the U.S. Mint. The summary did not include any figures regarding these production costs or any specific financial justifications for ending the penny’s minting. Similarly, information on potential public reaction or the stance of key stakeholders, such as the Treasury Department or manufacturing industries, was not included.
Story summarized from the original created by Stephanie.Weaver@fox.com (Stephanie Weaver) on www.fox13seattle.com, see more information here.
