Sergeant Rafael Peralta Medal of Honor Authorization Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8973
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-28T22:30:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8973: Sergeant Rafael Peralta Medal of Honor Authorization Act
Purpose
This legislation authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Rafael Peralta for his actions during combat operations in Iraq, despite existing time limits on such awards. It recognizes his reported heroism in shielding fellow service members from an enemy grenade.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is named the "Sergeant Rafael Peralta Medal of Honor Authorization Act."
- Findings: Congress outlines the events of November 15, 2004, in Fallujah, Iraq, during the Second Battle of Fallujah. Sergeant Peralta, a squad leader in the U.S. Marine Corps, was mortally wounded while leading a house-clearing operation. Eyewitness accounts describe him pulling an enemy grenade under his body to protect nearby Marines.
- Sense of Congress: Expresses that Peralta's actions exemplify duty, courage, and sacrifice, and that the United States should ensure fair consideration for the Medal of Honor regardless of delays.
- Authorization: The President may award the Medal of Honor under existing law for the described acts, waiving standard time restrictions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill introduces an exception to time limitations in sections 8298(a) and 8300 of title 10, United States Code, which normally restrict the period for awarding certain military medals. This allows consideration of the award for acts from 2004, overriding those statutory deadlines.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Defense and military branches may process and present the award, potentially involving reviews or ceremonies. It sets a precedent for future congressional waivers of medal time limits.
- Citizens: Provides formal recognition to a fallen service member, which could offer closure to family members and highlight individual acts of valor in past conflicts.
- International Relations: Limited direct effects, though the award relates to U.S. operations in Iraq and may reinforce narratives of sacrifice in that theater.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Sergeant Rafael Peralta's family and surviving Marines who witnessed the events.
- The U.S. Marine Corps and broader Armed Forces community.
- Members of Congress, particularly the bill's sponsors and the Armed Services Committee.
- The President, who holds authority to make the award.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Creates a targeted waiver of federal statutes governing military decorations, allowing posthumous recognition outside normal timelines.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's role in authorizing military honors under its powers to regulate the armed forces, without altering core constitutional structures.
- Political: Reflects a bipartisan effort to honor a specific service member from the Iraq War era, potentially addressing past administrative reviews of the case.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Sergeant Rafael Peralta Medal of Honor Authorization Act — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (4 pages)