H.R.1790 - Golden Age Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1790, the "Golden Age Act of 2025," proposes to mandate that all $100 notes printed after December 31, 2028, feature a portrait of Donald J. Trump. The bill also requires the Secretary of the Treasury to release a preliminary design of the new $100 note by December 31, 2026.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr. Gill of Texas, along with Mr. Nehls and Ms. Boebert, and was referred to the Committee on Financial Services.
The bill does not appear to address any specific national problem or pressing issue.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would change the design of the $100 note to include a portrait of Donald J. Trump. This would primarily have a symbolic impact, potentially affecting perceptions of national identity and values.
The change could also lead to debates about the appropriateness of politicizing currency.
Potential Benefits
- Could be seen as honoring a former president.
- May increase collectibility of the $100 bill.
- Could stimulate discussion about American history and leadership.
- May appeal to supporters of Donald J. Trump.
- Could be perceived as a way to commemorate a specific era in American history.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could be seen as politicizing US currency.
- May alienate individuals who do not support Donald J. Trump.
- Could set a precedent for future presidents to be featured on currency, leading to instability in design.
- May be perceived as a waste of resources to redesign currency.
- Could be seen as divisive and not unifying.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is questionable. While Congress has the power to coin money and regulate the value thereof (Article I, Section 8), the purpose must be related to legitimate governmental objectives. This bill appears to be largely symbolic.
There is no explicit constitutional prohibition against placing a former president on currency, but the action could be viewed as conflicting with the spirit of national unity and potentially violating principles of equal protection if perceived as discriminatory or unduly preferential.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).