Medal of Honor Access and Liaison Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 10480
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-09-17: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-09-22T21:00:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to honor Medal of Honor recipients by granting them easier access to military facilities and by creating a dedicated support role within the Department of Defense.
Key Provisions
- Access to Installations: Amends existing law to require issuance of a common access card (or equivalent) to Medal of Honor recipients, allowing unaccompanied entry to any military installation and the Pentagon.
- Establishment of Liaison Position: Creates a new Medal of Honor Liaison in the Department of Defense, appointed by the Secretary of Defense, to act as a primary contact for recipients and their families.
- Liaison Duties: The position includes coordinating support across military branches and with the Department of Veterans Affairs, handling replacement of military awards, standardizing protocols, conducting public outreach, and advising on active-duty service for recipients.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new subsection (e) to section 1134a of title 10, United States Code, expanding access rights for Medal of Honor recipients.
- Introduces a new section 1134B in the same title, establishing the Medal of Honor Liaison and defining its responsibilities.
- These changes build on current provisions for the Medal of Honor Roll without altering the core criteria for receiving the award.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Requires the Department of Defense to update identification systems, implement new access procedures, and fund the liaison role; may involve coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Citizens: Primarily benefits Medal of Honor recipients and their families by reducing barriers to military sites; has no direct effects on the general public or international relations.
- No anticipated changes to broader national security or foreign policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Medal of Honor recipients and their families.
- The Department of Defense and its branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard).
- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies involved in veteran support.
- Military installation security and administrative personnel responsible for access controls.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill modifies federal law under title 10 of the United States Code, which governs armed forces, but introduces no apparent conflicts with constitutional provisions such as separation of powers.
- It emphasizes recognition of military service through administrative and procedural updates, with potential for standardized treatment across services.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-09-17: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2026-09-17: Introduced in House
- 2026-09-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Medal of Honor Access and Liaison Act — issued 2026-09-17 — PDF (3 pages)