Medal of Honor Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 695) to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the rate of the special pension payable to Medal of Honor recipients, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 695

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Medal of Honor Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) The Medal of Honor is the highest and most prestigious military decoration of the United States.

(2) To earn the Medal of Honor ``the deed of the person . . . must be so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes his gallantry beyond the call of duty from lesser forms of bravery''.

(3) The actions of Medal of Honor recipients inspire bravery, and the willingness to give all, in those who serve in the Armed Forces and those who will serve in the future.

(4) Those listed on the Medal of Honor Roll exemplify the best traits of members of the Armed Forces, a long and proud lineage of those who went beyond the call of duty.

(5) Pursuant to section 1562 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall pay monthly to each living person whose name has been entered on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard Medal of Honor Roll a special pension.

(6) Recipients of the Medal of Honor have earned a substantial and historic increase to such special pension in recognition of their conspicuous gallantry, unwavering commitment, and heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty. SEC. 3. INCREASE IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SPECIAL PENSION PAYABLE TO MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS.

Section 1562 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)(1)--

(A) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``The Secretary'';

(B) by striking ``the rate of $1,406.73'' and inserting ``the rate described in subparagraph (B)''; and

(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

``(B) The rate described in this subparagraph is equal to the amount of monthly compensation paid to a veteran without dependents under subsection (m) of section 1114 of this title, increased to the next intermediate rate under subsection (p) of such section.''; and

(2) in subsection (e)--

(A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``Effective'';

(B) by inserting ``, subject to paragraph (2),'' before ``shall''; and

(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph (2):

``(2) The Secretary shall not, under paragraph (1), increase the amount of monthly special pension payable under subsection (a) in a year if such amount was otherwise increased during such year.''. SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LIMITS ON PAYMENTS OF PENSION.

Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``November 30, 2031'' and inserting ``January 31, 2033''.

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Mr. BOST. 695, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 695, offered by my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Nehls). This bill would increase the rate of special monthly pension for Medal of Honor recipients and their surviving spouses.

The Medal of Honor is our Nation's highest military award. It is reserved for servicemembers who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice in combat.

The Medal of Honor special pension is intended to repay part of the debt that our Nation owes them. The Medal of Honor pension is separate from the compensation that a veteran receives when they are unable to work due to service-related disabilities.

Today, there are just 63 Medal of Honor recipients who currently receive less than $2,000 in special pension payments per month. Their stories of service, without question, should be honored and remembered and told.

However, the current pension offered does not cover the cost of travel to speak at events that inspire future generations and tell their fellow Americans about their service in defense of our freedom.

It is time we increase the Medal of Honor recipients' pension in recognition of their heroic military service and their continued service to our Nation. The bill is fully offset by using a bipartisan offset related to older veterans and pensions, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 695, as amended.

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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