Change Corruption Act
- Bill Number
- S. 3408
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-08T16:41:58Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Change Corruption Act" (S. 3408) aims to prevent the use of images of current or living U.S. Presidents on American money, likely to avoid perceptions of favoritism or undue influence in currency design.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Likenesses: No U.S. currency (such as bills or coins) may include the image or portrait of any living person who is currently serving as President or has served as President but is still alive.
- Scope: This applies to all forms of federal currency issued by the U.S. government.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a statutory ban, formalizing a long-standing informal practice where only deceased historical figures (like past Presidents such as George Washington or Abraham Lincoln) appear on currency.
- Prior to this, decisions on currency designs were guided by traditions and executive discretion through the Treasury Department, without a specific legal prohibition against living or sitting Presidents.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Mint would need to adhere to this rule in future currency redesigns, potentially limiting creative or commemorative options but ensuring consistency in design policies.
- On Citizens: Everyday users of money would see no immediate change, as living Presidents are not currently featured; however, it could maintain public trust in currency as a neutral symbol of national history.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it might subtly reinforce U.S. commitments to democratic norms by avoiding personalized currency that could be seen as authoritarian elsewhere.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Treasury Department and U.S. Mint: Directly responsible for currency production and design, they would face new legal constraints.
- Current and Future Presidents: Their personal images could not be used, potentially affecting legacy or commemorative opportunities.
- American Public and Collectors: Citizens using or collecting currency would benefit from preserved historical traditions without modern political influences.
- Congress: Gains oversight through this codified rule, influencing how executive branches handle symbolic national assets.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a clear federal prohibition, enforceable through existing Treasury regulations; no direct conflict with the Constitution, as currency design falls under Congress's enumerated power to "coin Money" (Article I, Section 8).
- Constitutional: Aligns with separation of powers by limiting executive influence over symbolic government functions, without infringing on free speech or other rights.
- Political: Could reduce risks of controversy or accusations of corruption in currency decisions, promoting bipartisanship in an era of polarized politics; the bill's sponsors (Senators Merkley, Cortez Masto, Wyden, Blumenthal, and Kim) highlight anti-corruption themes, though it may spark debates on historical precedents versus modernization.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 2025-12-09: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Change Corruption Act — issued 2025-12-09 — PDF (2 pages)