Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9473
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-25: 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
- 2026-07-08T16:21:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation authorizes the collective award of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor individuals who fought for or with the United States against Imperial Japanese forces in the Pacific theater and became prisoners of war between December 8, 1941, and August 15, 1945. It recognizes their service and sacrifices during World War II, particularly in defensive battles such as those on Bataan and Corregidor.
Key Provisions
- Findings: Details historical events including the attacks following Pearl Harbor, the defense of the Philippines, the Bataan Death March, surrenders at Corregidor and other sites, and the experiences of U.S. and Filipino troops, nurses, and civilians.
- Definitions: Specifies eligible recipients as those who served honorably in the Pacific theater (including Shanghai, Central Pacific, and Southwest Pacific areas) or became POWs of Imperial Japan, excluding members of the Pacific Fleet or Hawaiian Department. Includes civilians granted veteran status post-war.
- Award Authorization: Directs the Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for a single gold medal of appropriate design.
- Design and Distribution: Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to create the medal; it is then given to the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a sense of Congress that it be shown at related historical sites.
- Duplicates: Allows the Secretary to produce and sell bronze duplicates to cover costs.
- Funding: Authorizes use of the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund for production costs, with proceeds from sales returned to the fund.
- Status: Designates the medals as national medals and numismatic items under existing U.S. Code provisions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces no amendments to current statutes. It creates a new, standalone authority for this specific medal award, consistent with prior Congressional Gold Medal practices but tailored to the described group of World War II defenders and POWs.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Involves the U.S. Mint for production and sales, and the Smithsonian for long-term display and access.
- Citizens: Provides formal national recognition to eligible veterans, their families, and descendants; bronze duplicates may be purchased by the public.
- International Relations: No direct effects specified, though the award acknowledges joint U.S.-Filipino efforts in the Pacific.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Eligible individuals (U.S. and Filipino service members, nurses, civilians who became POWs) and their families.
- The Smithsonian Institution (recipient and display site).
- The U.S. Mint and Department of the Treasury (production and sales).
- Congress (award authorization and oversight).
- Historical sites and museums associated with Pacific theater battles and POW experiences.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The act follows standard procedures for Congressional Gold Medals under Title 31 of the U.S. Code, with no apparent constitutional issues or alterations to legal frameworks. It emphasizes bipartisan sponsorship and historical commemoration without introducing new regulatory or enforcement mechanisms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
Cosponsors (60)
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Spartz, Victoria [R-IN-5], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1], Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4], Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2] and 10 more
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-25: 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.
- 2026-06-25: 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.
- 2026-06-25: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-25: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2026-06-25 — PDF (8 pages)