Donald J. Trump Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5789

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-10-17: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Last Updated

2025-11-19T19:49:10Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This legislation, titled the "Donald J. Trump Congressional Gold Medal Act," aims to honor President Donald J. Trump by awarding him a Congressional Gold Medal. The award recognizes his role in negotiating multiple peace agreements worldwide, with a focus on a 2025 agreement that ended the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, promoting lasting peace in the Middle East.

Key Provisions

• Findings Section: Congress outlines specific achievements, including:
• A October 2025 peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, ending hostilities and fostering diplomatic relations, economic cooperation, and regional stability.
• Other 2025 agreements brokered by Trump, such as ceasefires or peace deals involving Armenia-Azerbaijan, Democratic Republic of Congo-Rwanda, Iran-Israel, India-Pakistan, Cambodia-Thailand, and Egypt-Ethiopia.
• A prior normalization agreement between Kosovo and Serbia during Trump's first term.
• These efforts are described as advancing global diplomacy and U.S. leadership in conflict resolution.
• Award Authorization: The Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate are directed to arrange a presentation of a gold medal to Trump on behalf of Congress.
• Medal Production: The Secretary of the Treasury designs and strikes the gold medal with appropriate symbols and inscriptions.
• Duplicate Medals: Bronze duplicates can be produced and sold by the Treasury to cover costs, under regulations set by the Secretary.
• Legal Status: The medals are classified as national medals (protected under U.S. law against counterfeiting) and numismatic items (eligible for certain sales and distribution rules).
• Funding: Costs are covered by the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund, with sales proceeds returned to the fund.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces no direct amendments to prior laws. It operates under Congress's established authority to award gold medals (a tradition dating back to 1776) and leverages existing statutes in Title 31 of the U.S. Code for medal production, sales, and protection by the Treasury Department. It simply authorizes a new instance of this honorary practice.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint and Treasury Department will handle medal production and sales, incurring minor administrative and financial costs covered by existing funds. No broader operational changes.
• Citizens: U.S. citizens may purchase bronze duplicates as collectibles, potentially increasing public awareness of the honored achievements. The award serves as a symbolic gesture with no direct policy effects on daily life.
• International Relations: The bill highlights U.S.-led peace efforts, which could subtly reinforce America's image as a diplomatic leader. However, it has no binding international obligations and focuses on recognition rather than new foreign policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Primary Recipient: President Donald J. Trump, as the medal's honoree.
• Congress: Members who introduced and will vote on the bill (primarily Republicans, based on cosponsors listed), with ceremonial roles for House and Senate leaders.
• U.S. Government Entities: Treasury Department and U.S. Mint, responsible for execution.
• Indirectly Affected: Involved nations and groups from the cited agreements (e.g., Israel, Hamas, Armenia), though only symbolically; and the general public as potential buyers of duplicates.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Fully aligns with congressional powers under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to "provide for... rewards" and borrow money, as gold medals are a non-monetary honor. Medals' status under federal law ensures anti-counterfeiting protections without new legal risks.
• Constitutional: No issues; this is a routine exercise of legislative discretion for ceremonial awards, similar to medals given to figures like Rosa Parks or Navajo Code Talkers.
• Political: The bill is partisan, introduced by Republican members in a future 119th Congress (2025), potentially highlighting divisions in recognizing presidential legacies. It could influence public discourse on foreign policy successes but carries no enforceable policy changes, making it more symbolic than substantive.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

Cosponsors (29)

Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2], Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20], Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4], Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. James, John [R-MI-10], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]

Recent Actions

• 2025-10-17: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
• 2025-10-17: Introduced in House
• 2025-10-17: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Donald J. Trump Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2025-10-17 — PDF (5 pages)