Here’s a cleaner straight-news rewrite with the repetition trimmed and the legislative status clarified:
The U.S. Senate delivered a rare bipartisan agreement on Aug. 7, unanimously advancing legislation aimed at formally ending production of the penny and reducing the government’s losses from making nickels.
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The Senate passed the Common Cents Act by unanimous consent, approving a measure that would codify the end of circulating penny production, establish nationwide rules for rounding certain cash transactions and give the Treasury Department additional flexibility to develop a less expensive nickel.
The House previously passed its version of the legislation by voice vote on July 14. The Senate approved its companion measure, S. 1525, after adopting substitute language designed to closely align it with the House legislation.
Further House action on the Senate measure is still required before it can be sent to President Donald Trump.
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The legislation addresses several problems that have emerged as the cost of producing some U.S. coins has climbed well above their face value.
The first provision would formally end production of pennies for general circulation.
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The U.S. Mint struck its final circulating penny on Nov. 12, 2025, ending a 232-year production run. Pennies already in circulation remain legal tender and can continue to be used normally.
The Mint is also continuing limited penny production for collectible sets, including special 1776-2026 versions marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The change came after the cost of manufacturing a penny climbed far beyond its one-cent value. The Mint has said the rising production cost was a major factor behind the Treasury Department’s decision to discontinue the coin for general circulation.
The Common Cents Act would also establish clearer rules for businesses dealing with cash transactions when pennies are unavailable.
Under the House-passed version, retailers could round the final total of a cash purchase to the nearest five cents.
Electronic transactions, including purchases made with credit cards, debit cards and other non-cash payment methods, would continue to be charged to the exact cent.
For example, a $19.82 cash purchase could be rounded to $19.80, while a $19.83 purchase could become $19.85.
The legislation is intended to establish a consistent federal framework as businesses adjust to the shrinking supply of pennies.
Another major provision focuses on the nickel, which has become increasingly expensive for the government to manufacture.
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According to the U.S. Mint’s fiscal 2025 annual report, producing and distributing one nickel cost 13.31 cents — more than two and a half times its face value.
The penny and nickel both cost more to manufacture than their stated value for the 20th consecutive fiscal year.
Metal prices are a major part of the problem. The traditional nickel is made primarily of copper, with nickel accounting for the remainder of its composition.
The Common Cents Act would give the Treasury Department authority to test alternative materials for the five-cent coin.
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The legislation permits consideration of a zinc-and-nickel composition, provided testing shows that the change would reduce costs without significantly interfering with vending machines, parking meters, coin counters and other equipment designed to recognize existing coins.
The potential savings could be significant. The Mint reported that copper averaged roughly $9,454 per metric ton during fiscal 2025, compared with about $2,840 for zinc.
Rather than eliminating the nickel altogether, the legislation would allow Treasury officials to explore whether changing its composition could bring production costs closer to — or eventually below — the coin’s five-cent value.
Supporters say the broader legislation could save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars annually. Senators involved in the effort have estimated that ending penny production alone could save approximately $56 million per year.
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The legislation has attracted support from lawmakers in both parties. The Senate measure was sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., with Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York among its principal supporters.
Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma and Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon also backed the legislation.
Its unanimous passage in the Senate stands out in an otherwise sharply divided Congress.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
