Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7194
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Became Law
- Became Law
- Private Law 119-2
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-26: Became Private Law No: 119-2.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-10T17:40:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor—a prestigious military decoration for extraordinary heroism in combat—to Nicholas Dockery for his brave actions while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. The Medal of Honor is the highest U.S. military honor, typically given for risking one's life beyond the call of duty.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The act is named the "Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act."
- Authorization of Award: The President is permitted to award the Medal of Honor to Nicholas Dockery (previously known as Kareem N. Dockery) under Section 7271 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code (which governs military awards).
- Description of Acts: The honor recognizes Dockery's valor on October 2, 2012, in Afghanistan, where he demonstrated heroism as an Army member. He had previously received the Silver Star—a medal for gallantry in action—for these same actions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The act overrides time limits in Section 7274 of Title 10, U.S. Code, which generally requires Medals of Honor to be awarded within a set period (often three years) after the heroic act or while the recipient is alive. This waiver allows a delayed award, which is uncommon but permitted through specific congressional authorization for exceptional cases.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact; the Department of Defense may handle the award ceremony and update records, but no broader policy changes.
- On Citizens: Primarily symbolic, recognizing military service and potentially inspiring veterans or active-duty personnel by showing that past heroism can still be honored.
- On International Relations: None apparent, as the bill focuses on a domestic military award for actions in a past U.S. operation in Afghanistan.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Nicholas Dockery: The primary beneficiary, receiving formal national recognition for his service.
- U.S. Military and Veterans' Community: Benefits from the precedent of honoring past valor, which could encourage similar reviews for other service members.
- President and Congress: The executive branch executes the award, while Congress demonstrates support for military recognition through this targeted legislation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a narrow exception to statutory time limits on military awards, relying on Congress's constitutional authority (under Article I, Section 8) to regulate the armed forces and declare honors. This does not set a broad precedent but highlights flexibility for individual cases.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to provide for the military and authorize presidential actions in awards.
- Political: Reflects bipartisan support for veterans' honors (as an enrolled bill from the 119th Congress), potentially boosting morale in the military without controversy, though name changes (e.g., from Kareem N. to Nicholas Dockery) may invite minor public curiosity about personal circumstances.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-26: Became Private Law No: 119-2.
- 2026-03-26: Became Private Law No: 119-2.
- 2026-03-26: Signed by President.
- 2026-03-26: Signed by President.
- 2026-03-24: Presented to President.
- 2026-03-24: Presented to President.
- 2026-03-04: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2026-03-03: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S767)
- 2026-03-03: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-03-03: Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-03-03: Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-02-04: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 2026-02-03: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-02-03: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-02-03: On passage Passed without objection. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H1968)
Bill Versions
- Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act — issued 2026-02-03 — PDF (4 pages)
- Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act — issued 2026-03-05 — PDF (1 pages)
- Kareem N. Dockery Medal of Honor Act — issued 2026-01-21 — PDF (5 pages)
- Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (2 pages)