Legis Daily

Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

USA119th CongressHR-9473| House 
| Updated: 6/25/2026
Teresa Leger Fernandez

Teresa Leger Fernandez

Democratic Representative

New Mexico

Cosponsors (66)
Tom Cole (Republican)Jared F. Golden (Democratic)John R. Carter (Republican)Sylvia R. Garcia (Democratic)Steny H. Hoyer (Democratic)Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democratic)Shomari Figures (Democratic)Richard McCormick (Republican)Kimberlyn King-Hinds (Republican)Gabe Vasquez (Democratic)Gregory F. Murphy (Republican)Raul Ruiz (Democratic)Scott Franklin (Republican)Victoria Spartz (Republican)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Mike Carey (Republican)Stephanie I. Bice (Republican)Claudia Tenney (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Steven Horsford (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Melanie A. Stansbury (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Jeff Hurd (Republican)Dave Min (Democratic)Morgan Luttrell (Republican)Derek Tran (Democratic)Don Bacon (Republican)André Carson (Democratic)James R. Baird (Republican)Jefferson Shreve (Republican)Joe Wilson (Republican)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Pat Fallon (Republican)Jake Ellzey (Republican)Mike Kelly (Republican)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Nicholas A. Langworthy (Republican)Josh Harder (Democratic)Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann (Republican)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Austin Scott (Republican)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Gary J. Palmer (Republican)Pete Stauber (Republican)David G. Valadao (Republican)Derrick Van Orden (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Bill Huizenga (Republican)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)Juan Ciscomani (Republican)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Mike Thompson (Democratic)John J. McGuire (Republican)Russ Fulcher (Republican)Michael Lawler (Republican)Nick LaLota (Republican)Kevin Mullin (Democratic)Jason Crow (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Brian Babin (Republican)Michael Guest (Republican)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration, Financial Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, titled the "Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act," authorizes the collective award of a Congressional Gold Medal to individuals who fought for or with the United States against Imperial Japan in the Pacific theater during World War II. The medal specifically recognizes those who became prisoners of war between December 8, 1941, and August 15, 1945, acknowledging their personal sacrifice and service. The bill defines eligible individuals broadly, encompassing members of the U.S. Armed Forces, those serving at U.S. command in defensive battles, and even civilians considered military prisoners of war by Imperial Japan who later received veteran status. It explicitly excludes members of the Pacific Fleet or the Hawaiian Department. The legislation highlights significant historical events such as the attacks on Pearl Harbor, the defense of the Philippines, and the harrowing Bataan Death March, emphasizing the valor of both United States and Filipino forces, including women in combat. Following its award, the gold medal will be entrusted to the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. Congress expresses a desire for the medal to be made available for display at other relevant locations, particularly those associated with the Pacific theater battles and Imperial Japanese prisoner-of-war experiences. Additionally, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the medal, with proceeds supporting the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2192
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3603
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9336
Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act
Jun 24, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-4933
Introduced in Senate
Jun 25, 2026
Introduced in House
Jun 25, 2026
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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2192
    Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3603
    Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9336
    Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • June 24, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-4933
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 25, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • June 25, 2026
    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.

International Affairs

Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

USA119th CongressHR-9473| House 
| Updated: 6/25/2026
This legislation, titled the "Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act," authorizes the collective award of a Congressional Gold Medal to individuals who fought for or with the United States against Imperial Japan in the Pacific theater during World War II. The medal specifically recognizes those who became prisoners of war between December 8, 1941, and August 15, 1945, acknowledging their personal sacrifice and service. The bill defines eligible individuals broadly, encompassing members of the U.S. Armed Forces, those serving at U.S. command in defensive battles, and even civilians considered military prisoners of war by Imperial Japan who later received veteran status. It explicitly excludes members of the Pacific Fleet or the Hawaiian Department. The legislation highlights significant historical events such as the attacks on Pearl Harbor, the defense of the Philippines, and the harrowing Bataan Death March, emphasizing the valor of both United States and Filipino forces, including women in combat. Following its award, the gold medal will be entrusted to the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. Congress expresses a desire for the medal to be made available for display at other relevant locations, particularly those associated with the Pacific theater battles and Imperial Japanese prisoner-of-war experiences. Additionally, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the medal, with proceeds supporting the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2192
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3603
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9336
Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act
Jun 24, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-4933
Introduced in Senate
Jun 25, 2026
Introduced in House
Jun 25, 2026
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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2192
    Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3603
    Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9336
    Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • June 24, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-4933
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 25, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • June 25, 2026
    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.
Teresa Leger Fernandez

Teresa Leger Fernandez

Democratic Representative

New Mexico

Cosponsors (66)
Tom Cole (Republican)Jared F. Golden (Democratic)John R. Carter (Republican)Sylvia R. Garcia (Democratic)Steny H. Hoyer (Democratic)Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democratic)Shomari Figures (Democratic)Richard McCormick (Republican)Kimberlyn King-Hinds (Republican)Gabe Vasquez (Democratic)Gregory F. Murphy (Republican)Raul Ruiz (Democratic)Scott Franklin (Republican)Victoria Spartz (Republican)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Mike Carey (Republican)Stephanie I. Bice (Republican)Claudia Tenney (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Steven Horsford (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Melanie A. Stansbury (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Jeff Hurd (Republican)Dave Min (Democratic)Morgan Luttrell (Republican)Derek Tran (Democratic)Don Bacon (Republican)André Carson (Democratic)James R. Baird (Republican)Jefferson Shreve (Republican)Joe Wilson (Republican)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Pat Fallon (Republican)Jake Ellzey (Republican)Mike Kelly (Republican)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Nicholas A. Langworthy (Republican)Josh Harder (Democratic)Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann (Republican)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Austin Scott (Republican)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Gary J. Palmer (Republican)Pete Stauber (Republican)David G. Valadao (Republican)Derrick Van Orden (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Bill Huizenga (Republican)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)Juan Ciscomani (Republican)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Mike Thompson (Democratic)John J. McGuire (Republican)Russ Fulcher (Republican)Michael Lawler (Republican)Nick LaLota (Republican)Kevin Mullin (Democratic)Jason Crow (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Brian Babin (Republican)Michael Guest (Republican)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration, Financial Services Committee

International Affairs

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted