The House of Representatives unanimously voted to permanently eliminate the penny, advancing legislation that would bring an end to the one-cent coin after more than two centuries of use.

The bipartisan Common Cents Act would prohibit the U.S. Mint from producing additional pennies for circulation, although pennies would continue to be legal tender. The legislation would also establish a framework for rounding cash transactions to the nearest five cents, eliminating the need for pennies in everyday purchases.

Supporters argue that the penny has become increasingly costly and impractical to produce and use. The measure is expected to save the Treasury an estimated $56 million, while allowing the government to avoid continuing production of a denomination that has limited purchasing power.

The U.S. Mint stopped producing pennies in November 2025 after 232 years of circulation. The legislation would make that decision permanent through an act of Congress, preventing a future administration from simply restarting production. Collector pennies would be exempt from the production ban.

The penny has remained a familiar part of American commerce since the nation's early history, with supporters arguing that it remains useful for precise pricing and charitable giving. The legislation instead reflects the growing view among lawmakers that the costs and limited utility of producing the coin no longer justify maintaining it for general circulation.

The bill now moves to the Senate. If approved by the Senate and signed by President Donald Trump, the United States would formally end production of the penny for circulation while allowing the hundreds of millions already in circulation to remain legal tender.