Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 485
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Sports and Recreation
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-16: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-03T08:05:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, titled the "Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act," aims to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal—the highest civilian honor given by Congress—to Muhammad Ali. The medal recognizes his extraordinary contributions to the United States as a boxer, civil rights advocate, humanitarian, and global ambassador for peace and equality.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Congress outlines 23 detailed facts about Ali's life, including his birth in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky; his Olympic gold medal in 1960 and lighting the Olympic torch in 1996; his three-time heavyweight boxing championship; his conscientious objector status during the Vietnam War (upheld by the Supreme Court in 1971); his role in the Civil Rights Movement; numerous awards (e.g., Presidential Medal of Freedom); humanitarian efforts (e.g., hostage negotiations in 1990, UN Messenger of Peace in 1998); work with organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Muhammad Ali Center; and his death in 2016 at age 74.
- Medal Presentation (Section 3): The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate are authorized to arrange a ceremony to present a gold medal of appropriate design, struck by the Secretary of the Treasury. The medal will feature suitable symbols and inscriptions. After presentation, it will be given to Ali's wife, Lonnie Ali.
- Duplicate Medals (Section 4): The Secretary of the Treasury may produce and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal at a price that covers production costs (including labor, materials, and overhead).
- Status of Medals (Section 5): All medals under this act are classified as national medals under U.S. law (chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code) and as numismatic items (collectible coins or medals) for purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code. Numismatic items refer to official U.S. coins or medals produced for collectors.
- Funding (Section 6): Costs for striking the medals can be drawn from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. Proceeds from bronze duplicate sales will be deposited back into this fund, ensuring no net cost to taxpayers.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This legislation does not amend or repeal any prior laws. It introduces a new, specific authorization for awarding and producing the Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali, building on the existing framework for such honors under U.S. Code (e.g., procedures for national medals and numismatic items). No broader changes to medal-awarding processes or civil rights laws are made.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint and Treasury will handle medal production and sales, with costs fully covered by the Mint's fund and duplicate sales, minimizing financial burden. Congress will coordinate the presentation ceremony, which is ceremonial and low-cost.
- On Citizens: Provides symbolic national recognition of Ali's legacy, potentially inspiring Americans—especially in sports, civil rights, and humanitarian communities—by highlighting themes of perseverance, equality, and peace. Bronze duplicates may be available for public purchase as collectibles.
- On International Relations: Reinforces the U.S. image as a nation valuing global humanitarianism, given Ali's international efforts (e.g., hostage releases, UN work, and diplomacy in Africa and the Middle East). It could foster positive cultural exchanges, particularly with countries where Ali was admired.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Muhammad Ali's Family: Lonnie Ali receives the gold medal, honoring Ali's legacy directly.
- Congress and Legislative Bodies: Bipartisan group of cosponsors (over 30 representatives from both parties) indicates broad support; committees like Financial Services oversee referral.
- U.S. Mint and Treasury Department: Responsible for designing, striking, and selling the medals.
- Public and Community Groups: Sports fans, civil rights organizations (e.g., those tied to the Civil Rights Movement), humanitarian nonprofits (e.g., Muhammad Ali Center, Athletes for Hope), and Parkinson's disease advocates benefit from the inspirational recognition.
- Broader Society: African American, Muslim, and global communities view Ali as a role model, potentially strengthening cultural pride and education efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with established precedents for Congressional Gold Medals (awarded to figures like Rosa Parks or Nelson Mandela), with no conflicts under the U.S. Constitution's congressional powers to honor civilians. The bill's reference to Ali's Supreme Court victory on conscientious objector status underscores First Amendment protections for religious and moral beliefs.
- Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's authority under Article I to legislate awards and manage federal funds, without raising separation-of-powers issues.
- Political: Demonstrates rare bipartisan unity (diverse cosponsors including progressives and moderates), signaling national consensus on Ali's non-partisan legacy. Posthumous award may encourage similar recognitions for cultural icons, but it has no binding policy effects beyond the ceremony and medal production.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (88)
Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Turner, Sylvester [D-TX-18], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19] and 38 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-16: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-01-16: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-16: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E43-44)
- 2025-01-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2025-01-16 — PDF (10 pages)