Bill Would Allow $250 Note Featuring Sitting President for 250th Anniversary

A Republican representative introduced legislation that would direct the Treasury to produce a new $250 denomination and exempt it from the rule barring living persons from appearing on U.S. currency. The bill, titled the Donald J. Trump $250 Bill Act, was introduced by Republican Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina.

It would authorize the note to mark 250 years of independence on July 4 this year.

Federal law has prohibited images of living individuals on American currency since 1866. The largest denomination currently in circulation is the $100 bill. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at a White House briefing on Thursday that any decision rests with Congress. He stated the department is conducting preparatory work in case the legislation passes.

Senator Mark Warner said the proposal is detached from families facing higher costs for gas, groceries, housing, and health care. He added that resources spent on the note would be better directed toward lowering those costs. Developing a new note typically takes six to eight years, according to former and current Treasury employees.

That timeline raises questions about whether any note could be ready by the July 4 anniversary.