WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4901
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-05: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T08:08:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, titled the "WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act," aims to honor the collective service of women who served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and U.S. Navy Nurse Corps during World War II by awarding them a Congressional Gold Medal. It recognizes their bravery, dedication, and critical role in saving lives and supporting military efforts, despite facing discrimination, unequal pay, and dangerous conditions.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Congress outlines 22 historical facts about the nurses' contributions, including:
- Their rapid mobilization from fewer than 600 Army nurses and 1,700 Navy nurses in 1935 to over 59,000 Army and 14,000 Navy nurses by war's end.
- Service in hazardous environments across six continents, including under enemy fire, as prisoners of war, and in bombed hospitals (e.g., Bataan Peninsula, Anzio, Italy).
- Challenges like receiving only 50% pay compared to male counterparts initially, lack of military status until 1944, and racial barriers for African-American, Chinese-American, and Japanese-American nurses.
- Post-war roles in public health in former enemy territories and low mortality rates (under 4%) for treated soldiers due to their care.
- Receipt of 1,619 medals and commendations, with 16 awarded posthumously.
- Award Authorization: The Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate will arrange for Congress to award a single gold medal of appropriate design to represent all qualifying nurses.
- Design and Production: The Secretary of the Treasury will create the medal with suitable emblems and inscriptions. After the award, it will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research.
- Display Recommendations: Congress expresses a preference for the Smithsonian to display the medal at sites linked to WWII nursing, such as the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, Women in Military Service for America Memorial, and National World War II Museum.
- Duplicate Medals: The Secretary may produce and sell bronze duplicates to cover production costs (e.g., labor, materials).
- Legal Status and Funding: Medals are classified as national medals under U.S. law (chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code) and numismatic items (under sections 5134 and 5136). Costs are funded from the U.S. Mint's Public Enterprise Fund, with sales proceeds returned to it.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This legislation introduces a new honor by authorizing the first collective Congressional Gold Medal specifically for WWII Army and Navy nurses. It does not amend prior laws but builds on historical recognitions, such as the 1944 granting of military rank and benefits to nurses and the 1947 establishment of permanent nurse corps status. It formalizes funding and production processes through existing Mint authorities without altering them.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint and Treasury will handle medal production and sales, using existing funds with no additional taxpayer burden. The Smithsonian will manage display and research, potentially increasing public access to WWII history.
- On Citizens: Provides symbolic recognition and educational value, honoring surviving nurses (or their families) and raising awareness of women's military roles. Bronze duplicates may be available for purchase as commemorative items.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it underscores U.S. gratitude for nurses' contributions to defeating Axis powers and post-war aid in places like Hiroshima and Munich, potentially fostering historical goodwill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- WWII Army and Navy Nurse Corps Members: Primary honorees, including diverse groups like African-American, Asian-American, and Filipina nurses, along with their descendants and veterans' organizations.
- Military and Historical Institutions: Entities like the Smithsonian, U.S. Army Women's Museum, and National WWII Museum, which may host displays and benefit from increased visibility.
- Government Bodies: Congress (for award presentation), U.S. Mint (for production and sales), and Treasury (for oversight).
- Broader Public: Historians, educators, and the general public interested in military history and gender equality in service.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes the medal as a "national medal," ensuring legal protections for its production and sale under federal coinage laws. No new entitlements or benefits are created beyond the symbolic award.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's enumerated power (Article I, Section 8) to recognize achievements through medals, similar to prior awards for groups like the Tuskegee Airmen. It promotes equal recognition without raising equal protection issues.
- Political: Represents bipartisan support (introduced by Reps. Stefanik, Deluzio, and Kiggans) for belated acknowledgment of underrepresented WWII contributors, particularly women and minorities. It highlights ongoing efforts to address historical inequities in military service without partisan controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Cosponsors (17)
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-05: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-08-05: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-08-05: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2025-08-05 — PDF (12 pages)