HR 1761119th CongressIn Committee

Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act

Introduced: Feb 27, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2] (R-South Carolina)

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill, titled the Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act, would require the United States to print a new currency denomination of $250 Federal Reserve notes bearing a portrait of Donald J. Trump. It also adds a provision to allow portraits of living Presidents to appear on securities, relaxing a current prohibition. In addition, the bill includes a non-binding sense of Congress stating that the $250 note with Trump’s portrait should be printed to commemorate the U.S. semiquincentennial (250th anniversary). The measure was introduced in February 2025 and referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. In practical terms, if enacted, the Treasury would be mandated to produce a new, high-denomination note within a year, featuring Trump, and the law would explicitly permit presidents to appear on securities as well as currency.

Key Points

1Short title: The act would be known as the “Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act.”
2Sense of Congress: It declares that $250 bills featuring Donald Trump should be printed to commemorate the semiquinennial of the United States (the 250th anniversary).
3Printing mandate: Within one year of enactment, the Secretary of the Treasury must print $250 Federal Reserve notes featuring a portrait of Donald J. Trump.
4Change to portrait rules: The law would amend 31 U.S.C. 5114(b) to allow portraits on securities for individuals who have been or are the President of the United States (i.e., it would permit presidential portraits on securities, which is not allowed under current law).
5Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced February 27, 2025, by Rep. Wilson (SC) with co-sponsors and referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- U.S. Treasury and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (currency production) and the Federal Reserve System (currency issuance): would be responsible for designing, approving, and distributing a new $250 denomination and ensuring security features.- Taxpayers and the government budget: potential cost implications from designing, printing, and distributing a new currency denomination.Secondary group/area affected- General public and businesses: handling and use of a new denomination could cause logistical adjustments in cash handling, ATMs, vending, and commerce.- Securities market and financial institutions: if living presidents can appear on securities, this could influence how securities are issued and displayed, and may affect branding and investor perception.Additional impacts- Monetary and logistical feasibility: introducing a new denomination would involve production costs, anti-counterfeiting updates, distribution logistics, and potential effects on the currency system’s operations.- Precedent and symbolism: allowing presidential portraits on securities and adding a high-denomination bill would set a symbolic and practical precedent for currency design and who may be depicted on U.S. financial instruments.

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