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Associated Press: House passes bill to make coin-making cheaper

I recently discussed threats from substitution, and now the U.S. Congress is getting into the game. Congress just passed a bill to make the penny–a nice copper-looking coin–into a copper-plated steel coin, and to make the nickel also use steel for its base metal. This is going to save $100 million a year, or 30 cents per U.S. citizen per year. Wait for the plastic coins to come to the U.S. Mint next, that is if oil stays cheap.

It is so cool how history repeats itself. This reminds me of how people used to shave coins to lower their value and keep a bit of gold in their pocket. It all goes in a big circle, but now the government is getting into the game. My question is, why not just stop making the penny? It is not very useful anymore anyway.