Senate Passed Common Cents Act to End Penny

The federal legislation creates a national rounding standard and concludes the production of the one-cent coin.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Legislative Policy

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single copper coin, representing the end of national penny production. — The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Common Cents Act, signaling an end to penny production and establishing a national cash-rounding standard. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The U.S. Senate passed the Common Cents Act by unanimous consent, officially signaling an end to penny production. The bill now awaits the signature of President Donald Trump.

Why it matters

The legislation establishes a uniform national standard for rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel, creating consistency across the United States. This move follows a period of localized policy adoption where individual states previously handled their own currency rounding rules.

The Common Cents Act mandates rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel nationwide. Penny production formally ended in November 2025 across the United States.

The players

President Donald Trump

He is the current President of the United States who must sign the bill for it to become law.

Treasury Department

This federal executive department is directed by the new legislation to cease the minting of pennies.

The details

Following bipartisan passage in the House, the Senate approved the bill by unanimous consent to finalize the transition away from the penny. This action consolidates the patchwork of rounding regulations previously enacted by more than 30 states into a single national policy.

November 2025: Penny production formally ended.
September 14, 2026: The House passed the Common Cents Act.
September 28, 2026: The Senate passed the Common Cents Act.

Political Context

The passage of the Common Cents Act marks a departure from historical currency standards in the United States. Opponents of the measure have historically raised concerns regarding the potential impact of rounding on low-income consumers and retail price transparency.

Residents across the country should prepare for cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest nickel at retail registers. This change eliminates the use of pennies in physical change, impacting how individuals manage their small-denomination cash.

The takeaway

The move toward a nickel-only cash system reflects a broader shift in how modern economies handle low-value currency. Consumers can simplify their pocket change by adopting digital payment methods or preparing for the mandatory rounding standard.