Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act

Bill Number

H.R. 429

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Finance and Financial Sector

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Last Updated

2026-06-09T08:05:54Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, titled the Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act, aims to honor the millions of American women who supported the Home Front during World War II by requiring the U.S. Treasury to mint and issue special commemorative coins. It recognizes their workforce contributions, sacrifices, and perseverance amid challenges like discrimination and unequal pay, symbolized by the iconic "Rosie the Riveter" figure. The coins will celebrate their legacy and generate funds for preserving related historical sites and programs.

Key Provisions

• Coin Types and Limits:
• Up to 50,000 gold $5 coins (weighing about 8.36 grams, 0.85 inches in diameter, at least 90% gold).
• Up to 400,000 silver $1 coins (weighing about 26.73 grams, 1.5 inches in diameter, at least 90% silver).
• Up to 750,000 clad half-dollar coins (weighing about 11.34 grams, 1.205 inches in diameter; made of layered metals like standard U.S. half-dollars).
• Design and Inscriptions:
• Designs must symbolize the diverse roles of these women (e.g., in factories, farms, and volunteer work).
• Each coin includes its value, the year "2028," and standard phrases: "Liberty," "In God We Trust," "United States of America," and "E Pluribus Unum" (Latin for "Out of many, one").
• Designs selected by the Treasury Secretary after consulting the Rosie the Riveter Trust (a nonprofit partner) and the Commission of Fine Arts, then reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (a public advisory group on coin designs).
• Issuance and Sales:
• Coins available in uncirculated (everyday quality) and proof (high-polish collector's quality) versions.
• Issued only during a one-year window starting January 1, 2028.
• Sold at face value plus a surcharge (see below) and production costs; bulk purchases and prepaid orders get discounts.
• Surcharges and Funding:
• $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin, $5 per half-dollar coin.
• Surcharges go to the Rosie the Riveter Trust to help the National Park Service maintain the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in California and fund educational/commemorative programs.
• The Trust must undergo audits, and surcharges are only distributed after all production costs are covered (no net cost to the government).
• If this program would exceed the annual limit of two commemorative coin programs (per existing law), no surcharges apply that year.
• Legal Status:
• Coins are legal tender (can be used for payments) but treated as numismatic items (collectibles, not for circulation).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Authorizes a new commemorative coin program under Title 31 of the U.S. Code (which governs money and finance), building on rules for coin design, minting, and sales.
• Adds specific requirements for this program's designs, surcharges, and funding distribution, while adhering to caps on annual commemorative programs and ensuring government cost recovery.
• No surcharges if it hits the two-program yearly limit, which could delay or alter funding— a procedural safeguard not unique to this bill but applied here.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint (under the Treasury Department) will handle design, production, and sales, with added workload but no net financial loss. The National Park Service benefits from surcharge funds for park upkeep and education, potentially improving public access to WWII history sites.
• Citizens: Collectors and history enthusiasts can purchase coins as keepsakes, raising awareness of women's WWII roles. Broader public may gain through educational programs, fostering reflection on gender, diversity, and patriotism.
• International Relations: Minimal impact; this is a domestic commemorative effort with no foreign policy elements.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Rosie the Riveter Trust and National Park Service: Primary beneficiaries, receiving funds for park maintenance and programs.
• U.S. Treasury Department and U.S. Mint: Responsible for minting, sales, and financial oversight.
• Women and Descendants of WWII Home Front Workers: Honored through the coins, including diverse groups (e.g., Black, Latina, Indigenous, Asian American, and Pacific Islander women) who faced discrimination.
• Coin Collectors and the Public: Buyers of the coins; indirect benefit to educators and historians promoting women's history.
• Bipartisan Lawmakers: Over 80 cosponsors from both parties indicate broad support.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Fits Congress's constitutional power (Article I, Section 8) to coin money and regulate its value. Ensures compliance with existing laws on commemorative coins, including audits and cost protections, to prevent taxpayer burden.
• Constitutional: No issues; promotes free speech and historical preservation without infringing rights.
• Political: Bipartisan backing (introduced by Rep. Garamendi with diverse cosponsors) highlights unity on honoring women's contributions. Could inspire similar recognitions for underrepresented histories, emphasizing themes of empowerment and diversity amid past inequalities like wage gaps and racism. The bill's focus on "national reflection" aligns with ongoing efforts like National Rosie the Riveter Day (March 21) and prior Congressional Gold Medals.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]

Cosponsors (168)

Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2] and 118 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
• 2025-01-15: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-15: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act — issued 2025-01-15 — PDF (9 pages)