A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-43.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 424–0
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- To President
- Became Law
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Medal of Honor Act," aims to amend title 38 of the United States Code. The primary purpose is to increase the rate of the special pension paid to Medal of Honor recipients. It changes the current fixed monthly rate to a new rate linked to compensation paid to veterans without dependents. Additionally, the Act extends certain limits on pension payments.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +7
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill specifically increases the financial compensation provided to Medal of Honor recipients.
- Scored +7
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill increases the monthly special pension rate for Medal of Honor recipients by linking it to veteran compensation rates.
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill provides increased monthly pension payments which benefit elderly Medal of Honor recipients.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 424 yes · 0 no
02/26/2025 · Roll call 51 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Pension for Recipients: The bill increases the monthly special pension paid to living persons on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard Medal of Honor Rolls by replacing the fixed rate of $1,406.73 with a higher rate tied to veteran compensation (Section 3).
-
Extended Payment Limits: The Act extends the date for certain limits on pension payments from November 30, 2031, to January 31, 2033 (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Pension Increases: The Secretary is prohibited from increasing the monthly special pension in a year if the amount was already increased during that same year (Section 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill specifically increases the financial compensation provided to Medal of Honor recipients. Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill increases monthly pension payments for retired Medal of Honor recipients. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill provides increased monthly pension payments which benefit elderly Medal of Honor recipients.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill increases the monthly special pension rate for Medal of Honor recipients by linking it to veteran compensation rates.
- Public Law (12/2/2025)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 12/1/2025
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-43.
- 11/25/2025
- Presented to President.
- 11/7/2025
- Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7976-7977)
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2/27/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2/26/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 424 - 0 (Roll no. 51). (text: CR H857)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 424 - 0 (Roll no. 51). (text: CR H857)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 695.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H857-859)
- Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/23/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Lauren BoebertRepublican · Colorado
Monica De La CruzRepublican · Texas
Chris PappasDemocrat · New Hampshire
Jefferson Van DrewRepublican · New Jersey