Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act
A bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the individuals who fought for or with the United States against the armed forces of Imperial Japan in the Pacific theater and became prisoners of war from December 8, 1941, to August 15, 1945.
A Democratic bill with 12 Republican cosponsors · See all 34 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
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 "Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act," seeks to award a Congressional Gold Medal collectively to specific individuals from World War II. The intended recipients are those who fought for or with the United States against Imperial Japanese forces in the Pacific theater and became prisoners of war between December 8, 1941, and August 15, 1945. The award recognizes their personal sacrifice and service during the defense of locations like Bataan and Corregidor. Following the award, the gold medal is to be given to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Additionally, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the medal.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill awards a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the personal sacrifice and service of prisoners of war in the Pacific theater.
- Scored +6
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill provides high-level national recognition through a Congressional Gold Medal for veterans who were prisoners of war in the Pacific.
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill honors the service of World War II veterans who are now in their senior years.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Recognition of Service and Sacrifice: The bill awards a Congressional Gold Medal to individuals who fought for or with the United States in the Pacific theater and became prisoners of war, recognizing their personal sacrifice and service (Section 4).
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Historical Preservation and Research: The gold medal will be given to the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution to be displayed and made available for research (Section 4).
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Educational Display Opportunities: Congress expresses the sense that the Smithsonian should make the medal available for display at locations associated with the defensive battles of World War II in the Pacific and the prisoners of war of Imperial Japan (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exclusion of Certain Military Members: The definition of "individuals who fought for or with the United States" specifically does not include members of the Pacific Fleet or the Hawaiian Department (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 awards a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the personal sacrifice and service of prisoners of war in the Pacific theater. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill honors the service of World War II veterans who are now in their senior years. Would women be better off under this? — The bill recognizes the service of female nurses and civilian volunteers who were taken captive during the conflict.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill provides high-level national recognition through a Congressional Gold Medal for veterans who were prisoners of war in the Pacific.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill recognizes the service of Filipino soldiers and civilians who fought alongside United States forces.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill provides a historical artifact to the Smithsonian to be made available for research purposes.
- 9/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/29/2026
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- 6/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 28 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
John BoozmanRepublican · Arkansas
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Susan CollinsRepublican · Maine
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Deb FischerRepublican · Nebraska
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
John HoevenRepublican · North Dakota
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Josh HawleyRepublican · Missouri
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana