Make Sense Not Cents Act

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The Make Sense Not Cents Act: A New Bill to End 1-Cent Coins

Introduced on May 1, 2025, by Senators Merkley (D-OR) and Lee (D-HI), the "Make Sense Not Cents" Act aims to prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from minting or issuing 1-cent coins.

Key Provisions

  • S. 1554 is a bill that may be cited as the '‘Make Sense Not Cents’‘ Act''.
  • The Act amends title 31, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from minting or issuing 1-cent coins.

Section 2: Sense of Congress

"It is the sense of Congress that Congress has the sole authority to coin money and regulate currency."

Section 3: Discontinuation of 1-Cent Coins

Section 3 of the Act discontinues the minting or issuance of 1-cent coins.

  1. The Secretary of the Treasury may not mint or issue a 1-cent coin.
  2. Technical and conforming amendments are made to title 31, United States Code, to support the discontinuation of 1-cent coins.

These amendments include changes to sections 5112, 5113(a), and 5132(a) of the United States Code, as well as a revision to section 408(m)(3)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

"Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, or any amendment made by this Act, one-cent coins are legal tender in the United States for all debts, public and private, public charges, taxes, and duties, regardless of the date of minting or issue."

Get Informed

To learn more about the "Make Sense Not Cents" Act, visit https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-119s1554is for the official bill text.

Stay Up-to-Date

For the latest news and updates on this bill, follow reputable sources such as congress.gov or senate.gov.