A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Nick Shirley Congressional Gold Medal Act'', seeks to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Nick Shirley. The award recognizes his investigative journalism regarding waste, fraud, and abuse against American taxpayers. Specifically, the bill cites a post made by Shirley on December 26, 2025, concerning fraud in the Minnesota Somali population. According to the bill, this journalism resulted in President Trump halting Federal funding to fraudulent businesses in Minnesota. The legislation authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange the medal presentation.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill notes that the journalism led to halting federal funding to fraudulent businesses.
- Scored +2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill honors investigative journalism used to uncover waste, fraud, and abuse.
- Scored +1
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill aims to stop fraud that impacts federal funding and taxpayer resources.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill focuses on exposing fraud within the Minnesota Somali population.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Recognition of Journalism: The bill recognizes Nick Shirley for investigative journalism that uncovered waste, fraud, and abuse (Section 2 and Section 4).
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Halting Fraudulent Funding: As a result of the journalism cited in the bill, Federal funding to fraudulent businesses in Minnesota has been halted (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are mentioned in the provided text.
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 households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill aims to stop fraud that impacts federal funding and taxpayer resources. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill highlights journalism intended to protect taxpayers from fraud and waste. Would white Americans be better off under this? — The bill seeks to protect the interests of American taxpayers through investigative journalism.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill notes that the journalism led to halting federal funding to fraudulent businesses. Does this cut taxes for middle-income families? — The bill cites journalism that resulted in halting fraudulent businesses to protect taxpayer money.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill honors investigative journalism used to uncover waste, fraud, and abuse.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill focuses on exposing fraud within the Minnesota Somali population.
- 1/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/7/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 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