25th Anniversary of Commemorative Coin Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1993) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and to support programs at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1993
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 ``25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) On September 11, 2001, the United States suffered the deadliest terrorist attacks on United States soil (referred to in this section as ``the attacks'').
(2) 2,977 people were killed during the attacks, marking the single worst foreign attack on United States soil since Pearl Harbor in 1941.
(3) In New York City, 2 planes hit the Twin Towers during the attacks, causing both 110-story towers to collapse in less than 2 hours, as well as destroying 5 other buildings in the World Trade Center complex, leaving a death toll of 2,753 people, including all passengers and crew members of American Airlines Flight 11 and all passengers and crew members of United Airlines Flight 175.
(4) During the attacks, American Airlines Flight 77 struck the side of the Pentagon, killing 184 passengers, crew members, and personnel.
(5) In Pennsylvania, during the attacks, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, killing all 40 passengers and crew members.
(6) The attacks took the lives of 441 first responders in New York, specifically 343 firefighters from the New York City Fire Department, 37 officers from the Port Authority Police Department, 23 officers from the New York City Police Department, and 38 individuals from other agencies.
(7) The collapse of the towers following the attacks created massive dust clouds that left hundreds of densely populated city blocks covered with harmful contaminants, exposing first responders, local workers, residents, and students.
(8) More than 2 decades after these horrific terrorist attacks took place, the ongoing physical and mental health impacts continue to deeply affect tens of thousands of individuals across the country who were in lower Manhattan and the surrounding area following the attacks, as well as those from around the country who participated in the rescue, recovery, and relief efforts, due to their exposure to the dust, smoke, and debris. Thousands of others have died due to illnesses and injuries relating to the attacks.
(9) The National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center is continuously dedicated to remembering, reflecting, and educating for many generations to come so that the story of September 11, 2001, is never forgotten.
(10) The National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center is committed to supporting family members, survivors, rescue and recovery workers, and military personnel who were affected by the attacks by providing services, education, and programming. SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.
(a) Denominations.--The Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue the following coins in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and the establishment of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center:
(1) $5 gold coins.--Not more than 50,000 $5 coins, each of which shall--
(A) weigh 8.359 grams;
(B) have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and
(C) contain not less than 90 percent gold.
(2) $1 silver coins.--Not more than 400,000 $1 coins, each of which shall--
(A) weigh 26.73 grams;
(B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
(C) contain not less than 90 percent silver.
(b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code.
(c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items. SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.
(a) Design Requirements.--
(1) In general.--The designs of the coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of the courage, sacrifice, and strength of those individuals who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the bravery of those who risked their lives to save others that day, and the endurance, resilience, and hope of those who survived. At least 1 such coin shall bear the inscription ``Never Forget''.
(2) Designs and inscriptions.--On each coin minted under this Act, there shall be--
(A) a designation of the value of the coin;
(B) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus Unum''; and
(C) an inscription or other design element referencing the 25th Anniversary.
(b) Selection.--The designs for the coins minted under this Act shall be--
(1) selected by the Secretary, after consultation with--
(A) the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center; and
(B) the Commission of Fine Arts; and
(2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.
(a) Quality of Coins.--The coins minted under this Act may be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the coins minted under this Act should be struck at the United States Mint at West Point, New York, to the greatest extent possible.
(c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins minted under this Act only during the 1-year period beginning on January 1, 2028. SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.
(a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be sold by the Secretary at the price equal to the sum of--
(1) the face value of the coins;
(2) the surcharge provided in section 7(a) with respect to the coins; and
(3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, marketing, and shipping).
(b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the coins issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
(c) Prepaid Orders.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of the coins.
(2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount. SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.
(a) In General.--All sales of coins issued under this Act shall include a surcharge of--
(1) $35 per coin for the $5 gold coin; and
(2) $10 per coin for the $1 silver coin.
(b) Distribution.--Subject to section 5134(f)(1) of title 31, United States Code, all surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be promptly paid by the Secretary to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center to support the operations and maintenance of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center.
(c) Audits.--The National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center shall be subject to the audit requirements of section 5134(f)(2) of title 31, United States Code, with regard to the amounts received under subsection (b).
(d) Limitation.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), no surcharge may be included with respect to the issuance under this Act of any coin during a calendar year if, as of the time of that issuance, the issuance of that coin would result in the number of commemorative coin programs issued during that year to exceed the annual 2 commemorative coin program issuance limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31, United States Code.
(2) Guidance.--The Secretary may issue guidance to carry out this subsection. SEC. 8. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES.
The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that--
(1) minting and issuing coins under this Act result in no net cost to the Federal Government; and
(2) no funds, including applicable surcharges, are disbursed to any recipient designated in section 7(b) until the total cost of designing and issuing all of the coins authorized by this Act, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, marketing, and shipping, is recovered by the United States Treasury, consistent with sections 5112(m) and 5134(f) of title 31, United States Code.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the Congressional Budget Office estimate on this bill. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules
The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives announces bills that will be considered under suspension of the rules in that chamber. Under suspension, floor debate is limited, all floor amendments are prohibited, points of order against the bill are waived, and final passage requires a two-thirds majority vote.
At the request of the Majority Leader and the House Committee on the Budget, CBO estimates the effects of those bills on direct spending and revenues. CBO has limited time to review the legislation before consideration. Although it is possible in most cases to determine whether the legislation would affect direct spending or revenues, time may be insufficient to estimate the magnitude of those effects. If CBO has prepared estimates for similar or identical legislation, a more detailed assessment of budgetary effects, including effects on spending subject to appropriation, may be included. EFFECTS ON DIRECT SPENDING AND REVENUES OF LEGISLATION CONSIDERED UNDER SUSPENSION OF THE RULES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Week of May 18, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Effect on Direct Information on Direct Link to Published Bill Number Title Spending Effect on Revenues Spending and Revenue Estimates Effects -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- H.R. 1993.......................... 25th Anniversary of 9/ Would not increase None................. Surcharges (reduction N/A 11 Commemorative Coin direct spending. in direct spending Act, as amended. of $4 million) over 2028-2029 and those surcharges are paid out in 2031 (increase in direct spending), net to zero over the 2026- 2036 period. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1993, the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act.
I thank my colleagues, Representatives Garbarino, Lawler, and Goldman, along with every other Member who supported this effort, for introducing this important legislation honoring a pivotal moment in our Nation's history and remembering the lives so tragically lost on that horrific day.
Mr. Speaker, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, transformed our country. Nearly 3,000 innocent Americans lost their lives in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in the field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
In the face of unimaginable tragedy, the American people demonstrated extraordinary courage, resilience, and unity. This bill recognizes the importance of preserving the memory of that horrible day and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
H.R. 1993 authorizes the creation of a commemorative coin program marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, giving Americans a meaningful way to participate in remembrance and reflection.
Mr. Speaker, the proceeds from this program will support the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center in New York City, honoring the memory of the victims and the heroic first responders who ran up those stairwells to try to save their fellow Americans.
I especially want to recognize the firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency personnel, and servicemembers, whose bravery and selflessness embodied the very best of our Nation in one of our most dark hours.
The United States Mint has a long history of producing commemorative coins that recognize moments of profound national significance, and this legislation, Mr. Speaker, continues that tradition.
As we approach this momentous 25th anniversary of September 11, it is fitting that this House considers legislation that reflects our shared history and reaffirms our commitment to never forget the lessons of that day.
I am proud to support this effort. I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. HILL of Arkansas. I am grateful for Mr. Lawler's work in promoting this bill on the Republican side of the aisle.
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Mr. HILL of Arkansas.
Let me say how heartwarming it is to see Members on both sides of the aisle recall the service and sacrifice of 9/11 as we prepare for the 25th anniversary. I think it is a fitting way to demonstrate America's belief in its future and remembrance of a day that deserves to never be forgotten, like we experienced on 9/11.
I thank the ranking member of the full committee for working with me to present this bill to the House today. I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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