Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Edward J. Dwight, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 6 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 ``Edward J. Dwight, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025'', proposes to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Edward J. Dwight, Jr. He was the first African American astronaut candidate in the United States. The medal recognizes his historic service, his excellence during times of racism, and his contributions to art and Black history. The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate are responsible for arranging the presentation. The Secretary of the Treasury will oversee the design and striking of the gold medal.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill celebrates the historic contributions and overcoming of racial obstacles by a prominent African American figure.
- Scored +5
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill honors the historic service and excellence of the first African American astronaut candidate during the Civil Rights Era.
- Scored +3
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill honors the achievements of a 90-year-old individual.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Recognition of Historic Achievement: The bill awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Edward J. Dwight, Jr. to recognize his historic service, his example of excellence during times of overt racism, and his contributions in art and Black history (Section 3(a)).
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Public Access to Commemorative Items: The Secretary is authorized to strike and sell duplicate medals in bronze, allowing the public to acquire these items at a price that covers costs (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the 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 Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill celebrates the historic contributions and overcoming of racial obstacles by a prominent African American figure. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill honors the achievements of a 90-year-old individual. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill recognizes a former Air Force officer's service and expertise.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill honors the historic service and excellence of the first African American astronaut candidate during the Civil Rights Era.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill recognizes the service of a military pilot and Air Force officer.
- 7/30/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/19/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/25/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Charles SchumerDemocrat · New York