Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1761

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Finance and Financial Sector

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Last Updated

2026-06-04T08:07:50Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 1761: Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act

Purpose

This bill aims to honor former President Donald J. Trump by requiring the creation of a new $250 denomination of U.S. currency featuring his portrait. It is intended to commemorate the semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) of the United States, marking a symbolic tribute through the nation's monetary system.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The legislation is named the "Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act."
• Sense of Congress: Expresses congressional support for printing $250 bills with Trump's portrait as a way to celebrate the U.S. 250th anniversary.
• Printing Requirement: Mandates that the Secretary of the Treasury print $250 Federal Reserve notes featuring Donald J. Trump's portrait, to be completed no later than one year after the bill's enactment.
• Exception for Presidents: Allows the inclusion of portraits of living or former U.S. Presidents on U.S. currency and securities, overriding prior restrictions.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 16 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 418) by adding a requirement for $250 notes, introducing a new currency denomination that does not currently exist in U.S. circulation.
• Modifies 31 U.S.C. 5114(b) to permit portraits of living individuals on currency and securities if they are or were U.S. Presidents, changing a longstanding tradition that generally prohibits featuring living persons on U.S. money to avoid political favoritism or controversy.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve would need to design, produce, and distribute the new notes, potentially increasing operational costs and requiring updates to printing and security processes. This could strain resources if not budgeted adequately.
• Citizens: Introduces a higher-denomination bill ($250) that might simplify large transactions but could also raise concerns about counterfeiting or hoarding due to its novelty and collectible value. Everyday users may encounter it in circulation over time.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the bill's focus on a specific political figure could be viewed abroad as partisan, potentially affecting perceptions of U.S. neutrality in global financial matters.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Treasury Department and Federal Reserve: Directly responsible for implementing the printing and distribution.
• Congress and Political Figures: Sponsors (e.g., Rep. Wilson of South Carolina and co-sponsors) and broader lawmakers who may debate its passage; former President Trump as the honored individual.
• General Public and Collectors: U.S. citizens who use currency, as well as numismatists (currency enthusiasts) who might value the bills for historical or commemorative reasons.
• Financial Institutions: Banks and businesses handling cash transactions could need to adapt to the new denomination.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Establishes a precedent for customizing currency to honor specific individuals, potentially opening the door for future similar requests. It requires no additional funding authorization, which could lead to implementation challenges under existing appropriations.
• Constitutional: No direct constitutional issues, as Congress has authority over currency under Article I, Section 8. However, it could raise questions about equal protection or free speech if perceived as favoring one political side.
• Political: The bill's partisan nature—naming a living former President—may spark debates on bipartisanship and the appropriate use of public resources for commemoration, especially in a divided Congress. It was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services for review.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

Cosponsors (16)

Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5], Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48], Rep. Kelly, Trent [R-MS-1], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
• 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-27: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (2 pages)