S. 1525, the Common Cents Act, passed the Senate on August 7, 2026.
S. 1525 — Common Cents Act
What it does
This bill stops the U.S. Mint from making new pennies for everyday use (though it can still make them as collectibles), changes the 5-cent coin's composition to reduce production costs, and allows businesses and individuals to round cash payments to the nearest nickel when exact change cannot be provided. The bill also requires the Federal Reserve to report on how penny discontinuation affects low-income and unbanked communities, and establishes a process for Congress to review any future decisions to stop making other coins.
Quorum's transparency scan gave Common Cents Act a moderate transparency flag.
What happens next
S. 1525 passed the Senate. It now moves to the other chamber.
Who is behind it
Filed by Cynthia Lummis. Cosponsored by James Lankford, Kirsten Gillibrand and Ron Wyden.
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