Pablo Hernández (D-PR)
Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto Medal of Honor Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Armed 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 is known as the Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto Medal of Honor Act. It allows the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto for his acts of valor in the Army during the Vietnam War. The text outlines his extensive military service, including five voluntary tours in Vietnam, participating in over 200 combat missions, and earning 38 military decorations. It highlights a specific heroic action on May 1, 1968, during Operation Carentan II, where he neutralized an enemy machine gun emplacement and cleared enemy bunkers. The bill notes that he passed away on October 14, 2024, at the age of 87, and later worked as a veterans' counselor. Finally, the legislation waives the usual time limitations for awarding the medal so that this honor can be granted.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +6
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill directly honors a decorated Army veteran with a posthumous Medal of Honor and acknowledges his lifelong dedication to helping fellow veterans.
- Scored +5
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The legislation honors a distinguished military veteran and recognizes his service by posthumously awarding him the Medal of Honor.
- Scored +3
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
The bill explicitly recognizes the distinguished service of Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto, a notable Puerto Rican service member.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 3: This section authorizes the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto for his acts of valor during the Vietnam War, bypassing standard time limitations. This is a positive outcome because it recognizes his extraordinary military service, courage, and sacrifice, honoring a veteran who served the United States with distinction and later helped fellow veterans as a counselor.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- There are no negative consequences, burdens, or negative impacts for individuals or groups of people mentioned explicitly within the provided text of the bill.
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 directly honors a decorated Army veteran with a posthumous Medal of Honor and acknowledges his lifelong dedication to helping fellow veterans. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly recognizes the distinguished service of Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto, a notable Puerto Rican service member.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The legislation honors a distinguished military veteran and recognizes his service by posthumously awarding him the Medal of Honor.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill honors Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto, highlighting his heritage as the first Puerto Rican graduate of the Army Air Assault School.
- 7/6/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Nydia VelázquezDemocrat · New York