WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2195
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-23T11:03:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, titled the "WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act," aims to honor the women who served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and U.S. Navy Nurse Corps during World War II by collectively awarding them a Congressional Gold Medal. It recognizes their bravery, sacrifices, and critical role in saving lives and supporting the war effort, while acknowledging historical challenges they faced, such as unequal pay, lack of full military status, and discrimination.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Details the historical context, including:
- The rapid growth of nurse numbers from under 600 Army and 1,700 Navy nurses in 1935 to over 59,000 Army and 14,000 Navy nurses by war's end.
- Their service in dangerous conditions across six continents, including field hospitals, ships, and combat zones; some were killed, wounded, or captured as prisoners of war.
- Specific examples, such as the Bataan Peninsula hospitals, internment in the Philippines, service in North Africa and Italy (e.g., Anzio campaign), and contributions by diverse groups like African-American, Chinese-American, and Japanese-American nurses.
- Their impact on soldier morale, low mortality rates (under 4% for treated wounded), and postwar public health efforts in occupied territories.
- Evolution of their status: Initial "relative rank" without full benefits until 1944 (temporary military rank) and 1947 (permanent status with equal pay).
- Total of 1,619 medals and commendations awarded during the war, including posthumous ones.
- Award Authorization: The Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate will arrange the presentation of a single gold medal to represent all qualifying nurses, honoring their service.
- Design and Production: The Secretary of the Treasury will create the medal with appropriate symbols and text. After the award, it will be transferred to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a congressional suggestion to also show it at military history sites like the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, Women in Military Service for America Memorial, and National World War II Museum.
- Duplicate Medals: Bronze copies can be produced and sold by the Treasury to cover costs, with proceeds returning to the U.S. Mint's fund.
- Legal Status and Funding: The medals are classified as national medals under U.S. law (for legal protection and recognition). Costs are drawn from the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund, a self-sustaining account.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This legislation introduces a new collective honor not previously granted to these nurses as a group, though it references prior laws like the 1920 Act (granting "relative rank" without full benefits) and 1944/1947 Acts (providing military status and equal pay). It does not amend existing laws but authorizes new medal production and funding mechanisms under title 31 of the U.S. Code, treating the medals as official numismatic items (collectible coins or medals issued by the government).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Involves coordination among Congress, the Treasury Department (for design and striking), and the Smithsonian Institution (for preservation and display). The U.S. Mint will handle production and sales using its existing fund, with minimal new taxpayer burden as costs are covered by sales proceeds.
- On Citizens: Provides symbolic recognition and educational value for veterans' families, historians, and the public, potentially increasing awareness of women's roles in WWII through museum displays. It may inspire similar honors for other overlooked groups.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic recognition of U.S. military service; however, it highlights contributions in global theaters like the Philippines, China, and Europe, which could indirectly affirm U.S. historical narratives in international contexts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- WWII Army and Navy Nurse Corps Members: Primary honorees (or their surviving families/estates), receiving collective recognition for their service.
- Military and Veteran Communities: Includes diverse subgroups like African-American, Asian-American, and Filipina nurses who faced additional barriers.
- Government Entities: Congress (for award), Treasury and U.S. Mint (for production/sales), and Smithsonian (for curation).
- Museums and Educational Institutions: Sites like the National WWII Museum and Women in Military Service Memorial, which may host displays to educate the public.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes the medals as protected national items under federal law, ensuring their authenticity and preventing counterfeiting. It uses existing congressional authority to authorize expenditures from a public fund without needing new appropriations.
- Constitutional: Relies on Congress's enumerated power (Article I, Section 8) to recognize military achievements through medals, a tradition dating back to the Revolutionary War; no challenges to separation of powers or rights are evident.
- Political: Represents bipartisan support (introduced by senators from both parties) for rectifying historical oversights, such as gender and racial inequities in military service. It promotes national gratitude and could influence future legislation on veteran recognition, emphasizing inclusivity for women's and minority contributions without partisan controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (22)
Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN], Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS], Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI], Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 2025-06-26: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2025-06-26 — PDF (12 pages)