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Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

USA119th CongressS-4933| Senate 
| Updated: 6/24/2026
Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (28)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Rick Scott (Republican)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)Angus S. King (Independent)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)John Boozman (Republican)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Tim Sheehy (Republican)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Mike Rounds (Republican)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)Deb Fischer (Republican)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Josh Hawley (Republican)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)John Hoeven (Republican)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act," authorizes the collective award of a Congressional Gold Medal . It is intended for individuals who fought for or with the United States against Imperial Japan in the Pacific theater and became prisoners of war (POWs) between December 8, 1941, and August 15, 1945. This recognition honors their profound personal sacrifice and service during World War II. The bill defines eligible individuals as those who served honorably in the United States Armed Forces or at their command in defensive battles in the Pacific from December 8, 1941, to June 9, 1942, or became POWs of Imperial Japan, including civilians later granted veteran status. It highlights the initial attacks on Pearl Harbor and subsequent coordinated Japanese assaults, leading to the surrender of undermanned U.S. and Filipino forces, including the infamous Bataan Death March . The findings also specifically acknowledge the role of New Mexico National Guardsmen and the first U.S. military women taken captive. Following its award, the gold medal will be given to the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a recommendation for display at other relevant historical locations. The Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for designing and striking the medal with suitable emblems and inscriptions. Additionally, duplicate bronze medals will be made available for public sale, with the proceeds covering production costs and deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-1093
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1079
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4988
Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act
Jun 24, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Jun 25, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9473
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-1093
    Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1079
    Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4988
    Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • June 24, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.


  • June 25, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9473
    Introduced in House

Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

USA119th CongressS-4933| Senate 
| Updated: 6/24/2026
This bill, titled the "Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act," authorizes the collective award of a Congressional Gold Medal . It is intended for individuals who fought for or with the United States against Imperial Japan in the Pacific theater and became prisoners of war (POWs) between December 8, 1941, and August 15, 1945. This recognition honors their profound personal sacrifice and service during World War II. The bill defines eligible individuals as those who served honorably in the United States Armed Forces or at their command in defensive battles in the Pacific from December 8, 1941, to June 9, 1942, or became POWs of Imperial Japan, including civilians later granted veteran status. It highlights the initial attacks on Pearl Harbor and subsequent coordinated Japanese assaults, leading to the surrender of undermanned U.S. and Filipino forces, including the infamous Bataan Death March . The findings also specifically acknowledge the role of New Mexico National Guardsmen and the first U.S. military women taken captive. Following its award, the gold medal will be given to the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a recommendation for display at other relevant historical locations. The Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for designing and striking the medal with suitable emblems and inscriptions. Additionally, duplicate bronze medals will be made available for public sale, with the proceeds covering production costs and deposited into 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

S 116-1093
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1079
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4988
Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act
Jun 24, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Jun 25, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9473
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-1093
    Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1079
    Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4988
    Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • June 24, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.


  • June 25, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9473
    Introduced in House
Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (28)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Rick Scott (Republican)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)Angus S. King (Independent)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)John Boozman (Republican)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Tim Sheehy (Republican)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Mike Rounds (Republican)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)Deb Fischer (Republican)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Josh Hawley (Republican)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)John Hoeven (Republican)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

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