Bill · S. 214· Senate(119-S-214)
MEDAL Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/23/2025
- Last activity
- 5/21/2025 — Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.
- Sponsored by
- Ted Cruz
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Monetary Enhancement for Distinguished Active Legends Act of 2025," seeks to amend title 38 of the United States Code. The primary goal is to increase the rate of the special pension paid to Medal of Honor recipients. It specifically targets the monthly payment amount for living recipients. Additionally, it adjusts how the pension is handled for surviving spouses.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+10
The bill provides a substantial increase in monthly pension income for living Medal of Honor recipients who are likely seniors.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+10
The significant increase in monthly pension payments provides greater financial security for recipients.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+10
The bill dramatically increases the monthly special pension for living Medal of Honor recipients.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill increases federal outlays by raising the monthly special pension for Medal of Honor recipients.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Monthly Payment for Living Recipients: The bill increases the monthly special pension from $1,406.73 to $8,333.33 (Section 3(a)). This provides a substantial increase in income for those whose names are on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard Medal of Honor Rolls.
-
Adjustments for Surviving Spouses: The bill amends the language regarding the special pension for surviving spouses to reflect a rate of $1,406.73, which is subject to adjustments over time (Section 3(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+10Good For Retirees+10Good For Seniors+10Good For Veterans+10
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+10
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-2
- 11/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2025
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.
- 4/28/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/12/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/12/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/23/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Tom CottonRepublican · Arkansas
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia
Markwayne MullinRepublican · Oklahoma
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia