U.S. CongressThe 114th Congress was gaveled into session on January 5, 2015 with an air of optimism that both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue would be able to work together. Optimism can last as long as someone does not offend their opponent or there are significant lingering issues. Let the games begin.

We open February with the New England Patriots winning the Super Bowl. Two weeks after the controversy over the deflation of the Patriots’ game balls, they came from behind and won the game on a last minute goal line interception. While many of the commercials were less than memorable, the game lived up to the super name. But for congress, it is only the first minutes of the game. With 23 months to go in the 114th Congress, the insanity is just beginning.

Here are the numismatic-related bills introduced in January:

S. 95: A bill to terminate the $1 presidential coin program
Sponsor: Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)
• Introduced in the Senate on January 7, 2015
• Referred to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Track this bill at https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s95

H.R. 358: National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Rep. Sean Maloney (D-NY)
• To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.
• Proceeds paid to National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc.
• Introduced in the House of Representatives on January 14, 2015
• Referred to the House Financial Services Committee

Track this bill at https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr358

H.R. 516: Cents and Sensibility Act
Sponsor: Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH)
• To amend title 31, United States Code, to save the American taxpayers money by immediately altering the metallic composition of the one-cent, five-cent, dime, and quarter dollar coins
• Introduced in the House of Representatives on January 22, 2015
• Referred to the House Financial Services Committee

Track this bill at https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr516

In the days to come I will have a commentary on these bills. All three have flaws that congress keeps ignoring and it is time to take action to let them know how they can get things very wrong even on something as simple as coins. Stay tuned!

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