Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5309
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-11: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-05T08:07:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Constance Baker Motley in recognition of her contributions to civil rights, public service, and the federal judiciary.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is named the Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025.
- Findings: The legislation includes 15 factual statements detailing Motley's life, including her birth in 1921, education at New York University and Columbia Law School, work as an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund on cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, her arguments before the Supreme Court, election to the New York State Senate in 1964, service as Manhattan Borough President in 1965, and appointment as a federal judge in 1966 (later elevated to Chief Judge).
- Medal Award: The President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House are authorized to arrange for the award of a gold medal of appropriate design, including an image and inscription of Motley. The medal is to be presented to her son, Joel Motley III, and niece, Constance Royster, with the physical medal given to Joel Motley III.
- Duplicates: The Secretary of the Treasury may produce and sell bronze duplicates at a price covering production costs.
- Status: The medals are designated as national medals under relevant U.S. Code provisions.
- Funding: Costs are charged to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, with proceeds from duplicate sales deposited into the same fund.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces no amendments to existing statutes. It creates a one-time authorization for a specific Congressional Gold Medal award and related production processes.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint would handle design, striking, and distribution of the gold medal and any bronze duplicates, using existing fund mechanisms.
- Citizens: The award serves as a symbolic recognition of civil rights and judicial history, potentially increasing public awareness through display or related educational efforts.
- International Relations: No direct effects are outlined.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Family Members: Motley's son (Joel Motley III) and niece (Constance Royster), who are designated to receive the award.
- Congress: Bipartisan group of sponsors who introduced the bill, along with the Senate and House leadership responsible for presentation arrangements.
- U.S. Mint and Treasury Department: Entities tasked with medal production and sales.
- Broader Public: Civil rights advocates, legal professionals, and historical organizations interested in Motley's legacy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill relies on Congress's established authority to award gold medals under 31 U.S.C. Chapter 51, treating the medals as official national numismatic items without creating new legal obligations.
- Constitutional: No conflicts with constitutional provisions are indicated, as such awards fall within legislative powers to recognize contributions to the nation.
- Political: The measure reflects bipartisan support through its list of cosponsors from both major parties, focusing on historical commemoration rather than policy changes.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
Cosponsors (206)
Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Ellzey, Jake [R-TX-6], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17] and 156 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-11: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-09-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-11 — PDF (7 pages)