Recipients of the medal of honor will see their pensions rise 6-fold under the new proposal
INTERMEDIATE: A new, bipartisan, bicameral bill would boost pensions for Medal of Honor recipients sixfold.
The legislation, reintroduced by Texas Republicans Rep. Troy Nehls and Sen. Ted Cruz and New Hampshire Democrat Rep. Chris Pappas, will bring the pay of those receiving the country’s top military award from $16,880 a year to $100,000 a year.
Supporters of the bill say the payment will reduce the financial burden on award recipients who often travel the country giving talks on their own dime.
This rule will affect 60 living Medal of Honor recipients. 3,500 have been awarded this award since it was established in 1863.
PRESIDENT BIDEN AWARDS SEVEN SOLDIERS Medal of Honor
Then President Biden presented Pfc with the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration. Kenneth J. David, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
The pension rolls for Medal of Honor recipients were first established in 1916, with pensioners receiving $10 a month from the federal government. The monthly premium was increased to $100 in 1961 and $1,000 in 2002.
“I am proud to reintroduce the Medals of Honor Act to reduce the financial burden of our nation’s medal recipients,” Nehls said in a statement. “While we cannot repay these brave people for their incredible actions, we must do everything we can to show our undying support and gratitude for their work.”
Former President Joe Biden awarded the Medal of Honor to seven US Army soldiers, six posthumously and one in person at a White House ceremony – Pfc. Kenneth J. David – for their actions in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
BIDEN TO AWARD UNION SOLDIERS HONOR ‘ONE OF THE FIRST SPECIAL JOBS’ IN MILITARY HISTORY
Those honored posthumously were Pvt. Bruno R. Orig, Pfc. Wataru Nakamura, Cpl. Fred B. McGee, Pfc. Charles R. Johnson, Gen. Richard E. Cavazos and Capt. Hugh R. Nelson Jr.
In May 1970, David’s group was attacked by enemy forces. Then David, the operator of the telephone, fought the enemy and drew fire from his fellow soldiers. He distracted them by shouting, firing his rifle and throwing hand grenades while friendly helicopters scrambled in to evacuate the wounded.
Then-President Biden awarded Col. Paris Davis with the Medal of Honor for her bravery during the Vietnam War, Friday, March 3, 2023 at the White House. (AP/Evan Vucci)
“Our award recipients are heroes who embody the highest ideals of courage, sacrifice and sacrifice. They continue to serve our nation by telling their stories, inspiring generations and inspiring the next wave of American heroes,” Cruz said. “However, they often lack the money to do these activities. The MEDAL law addresses that lack.”
CLICK HERE FOR THE NEWS PROGRAM
This bill has been introduced in the last two congressional terms, but has not received a floor vote. It is not yet clear whether it will reach the floor of the House and Senate in this Congress.
Source link
