For America's 250th Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on H.R. 5616, the $2.50 for America's 250th Act, sponsored by the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt).

This legislation directs the Treasury Secretary to mint and issue a $2.50 collectible coin to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence later this year.

Under this bill, the Treasury would also conduct a study to evaluate minting and issuing a separate $2.50 coin for wide circulation in the United States.

For starters, I am glad this legislation now considers the cost- effectiveness of a potential $2.50 circulating coin. This is important, especially as President Trump's abrupt decision to stop production of the penny last year, without any meaningful plan, created problems that retailers, banks, and consumers are still dealing with today. This is the mess we are now forced to clean up.

Additionally, to be clear, I was deeply concerned by the language in the introduced version of this legislation, which may have been interpreted by the Treasury Secretary to allow him to select a new design for a $2.50 coin.

We are already witnessing how Secretary Bessent has exploited loopholes and ignored existing laws, resulting in the Treasury minting a $1 coin bearing Trump's image. The Treasury's decision to put Donald Trump's face, a living President, on our currency is illegal and reminiscent of a monarchy, which 250 years ago our country firmly rejected. I was happy to see that this bill makes it explicit that Trump's face cannot be on this collectible coin.

Furthermore, as we speak of the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, we would be horribly remiss not to recognize the violence taking place in this country.

Since taking office, the Trump administration has established a legacy of violence and cruelty. Trump's administration has empowered and unleashed brutal attacks against Latino, Black, and countless other communities. They have locked up children and killed innocent people without fear of consequences, and they celebrate this cruelty and unapologetically mock the victims.

Therefore, as we attempt to commemorate the founding principles of this country, we must not turn a blind eye to the very real destruction that is taking place right here, right now.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman), who has put a lot of work into this as she serves as the co-chair of the America 250 Caucus and serves on the Semiquincentennial Commission.

Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Waters from the great State of California for yielding.

Let me just say, I enjoyed working on this endeavor with my colleague across the aisle, Mr. Aderholt. It has been a pleasure.

Madam Speaker, in 1776, the Declaration of Independence put into writing a set of ideals that reshaped this Nation and influenced the world.

Every major anniversary since has given Americans a chance to reflect on those principles and what they require of us. The $2.50 for America's 250th Act continues a long tradition of commemorating our Nation's milestones through coinage.

This bill authorizes the Treasury to issue a circulating and collectible $2.50 coin, modeled on the design first issued for America's 150 anniversary.

That earlier coin connected Americans to their shared history through something tangible and accessible to all. This legislation does the very same as we prepare for the semiquincentennial.

As a cofounder and co-chair of the America 250 Caucus and a member of the America 250 Commission, I am so grateful for the partnership with Representative Aderholt and my House colleagues on a bipartisan basis as we prepare the Nation's celebration of America's 250 birthday, which I pray is bicameral, bipartisan, and able to be enjoyed by all the people in this country.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation gives us an opportunity to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the ideals and founding principles of our country, like the rule of law and separation of powers. Individual freedom, dignity, and equality are being ruthlessly undermined today by this administration.

Mr. Speaker, I hope this Chamber's commitment to America's founding principles is not merely symbolic, somewhat like the coin, but will be represented in our commitment to protect these principles and exercise our responsibilities to democracy in the Constitution.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I thank Mrs. Watson Coleman for all of the work that she has put in on America250 Caucus.

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