Medal of Honor recipients would see their pensions increase 6-fold under new proposal
A new bipartisan bill has been introduced that aims to significantly increase pensions for Medal of Honor recipients. The legislation, reintroduced by Texas Republicans Rep. Troy Nehls and Sen. Ted Cruz, along with New Hampshire Democrat Rep. Chris Pappas, seeks to raise the annual pay for recipients of the nation’s highest military award from $16,880 to $100,000.
The bill is designed to alleviate the financial burden faced by Medal of Honor recipients, many of whom travel across the country for speaking engagements at their own expense. Currently, there are 60 living recipients of the Medal of Honor, with a total of 3,500 individuals having been awarded the prestigious medal since its establishment in 1863.
Pension rolls for Medal of Honor recipients were first established in 1916, providing pensioners with $10 per month from the federal government. Over the years, the monthly stipend has increased to $100 in 1961 and $1,000 in 2002. The proposed legislation seeks to further increase this amount to $100,000 per year.
Rep. Nehls expressed his pride in reintroducing the Medal of Honor Act, emphasizing the importance of supporting and showing gratitude to these courageous individuals for their extraordinary acts of valor. The bill has garnered support from various lawmakers, including former President Joe Biden, who recently awarded the Medal of Honor to seven U.S. Army soldiers for their actions in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Among those honored was Pfc. Kenneth J. David, who attended the White House ceremony in person. David was recognized for his bravery as a radio-telephone operator during an enemy attack in May 1970, where he engaged the enemy to draw fire away from his fellow soldiers, allowing for the evacuation of the wounded.
Sen. Ted Cruz highlighted the importance of providing financial support to Medal of Honor recipients, acknowledging the sacrifices they have made for their country. The MEDAL Act aims to address the financial challenges faced by these heroes and ensure they have the resources needed to continue serving as inspirational figures for future generations.
While the bill has been introduced in previous congressional terms, it has yet to receive a floor vote. The fate of the legislation in the current Congress remains uncertain. However, supporters of the bill are hopeful that it will ultimately be passed to provide much-needed financial assistance to Medal of Honor recipients.
