119-hr695

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 695 Referred in Senate

    (RFS) ]

<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 695

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 February 27, 2025

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

 AN ACT

 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.

 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''.

 Passed the House of Representatives February 26, 2025.

 Attest:

 KEVIN F. MCCUMBER,

 Clerk.