Faithful Patriot Campaign Medal Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4766
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-25: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-10-09T03:26:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Faithful Patriot Campaign Medal Act (H.R. 4766) aims to recognize and honor members of the U.S. Armed Forces and veterans for their service on the U.S.-Mexico border during Operation Faithful Patriot or related follow-up operations. It establishes a new military service medal to commemorate this specific duty, emphasizing patriotism and border security efforts.
Key Provisions
- Medal Design and Production: The Secretary of Defense is required to create and produce a medal called the "Faithful Patriot Campaign Medal" specifically for those who served on the U.S.-Mexico border in the mentioned operations.
- Eligibility and Issuance:
- Eligible individuals include active, retired, or former Armed Forces members and veterans who served in these border operations.
- The medal can be issued upon request to eligible living individuals.
- For deceased eligible individuals, the medal may be provided to their next-of-kin (immediate family members, such as spouses or children).
- Application Process: The Secretary of Defense must develop and distribute an application form to allow eligible individuals and their next-of-kin to apply for the medal.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new military decoration not previously authorized under current U.S. law. It expands the Department of Defense's (DoD) framework for service medals by creating one tailored to border security operations, which were not specifically recognized before. No existing medals are altered; this is an addition to the list of campaign or service medals.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DoD will face administrative responsibilities, including designing the medal, managing applications, and handling distribution, which could involve modest costs for production and processing. No major budgetary changes are specified.
- On Citizens: Provides formal recognition and a tangible honor for thousands of service members and veterans involved in border operations, potentially boosting morale and public appreciation for their service. It does not affect benefits, pay, or other entitlements.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the medal focuses on domestic border service; however, it indirectly underscores U.S. commitment to border security, which could influence perceptions in relations with Mexico.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary Beneficiaries: U.S. Armed Forces members, veterans, and their next-of-kin who served on the U.S.-Mexico border during Operation Faithful Patriot (a 2018-2019 deployment) or subsequent similar missions.
- Government Entities: The Secretary of Defense and the DoD, responsible for implementation.
- Broader Groups: Military advocacy organizations and border security supporters, who may view this as validation of their service.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill is straightforward and aligns with Congress's authority under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to "make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces," including creating military honors. It imposes no new burdens on private citizens and includes standard next-of-kin provisions seen in other veterans' benefits laws.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it respects due process by requiring an application process rather than automatic issuance.
- Political: The legislation highlights partisan emphases on border security and military recognition, potentially serving as a symbolic gesture in immigration and national defense debates. As an introduced bill (referred to the House Armed Services Committee on July 25, 2025), its passage could signal congressional priorities in the 119th Congress, though it may face debate over resource allocation or scope of recognition.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-25: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-07-25: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-25: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Faithful Patriot Campaign Medal Act — issued 2025-07-25 — PDF (2 pages)