Pappas and Nehls’s Legislation to Increase Pension for Medal of Honor Recipients Passes House
Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Troy Nehls’s (TX-22) bipartisan Medal of Honor Act, legislation to increase the monthly pension for Medal of Honor recipients, passed the House. This legislation would increase the monthly pension for recipients to roughly $67,500 annually. Medal of Honor Recipients currently receive only $1,406.73 per month.
“The Medal of Honor is our nation’s highest military decoration. It symbolizes the valor the distinguished men and women of our military displayed in extraordinary moments. It is our responsibility as Americans to ensure that all our service members and veterans are honored both during and after their service, and one way we can do that is by ensuring all of our Medal of Honor recipients are financially secure after their military service is over,” said Congressman Pappas. “I was glad to partner with Congressman Nehls to introduce this legislation, and am thrilled to see it now pass the House. I hope the Senate will bring it to the floor without delay so we can keep our promise to our service members and veterans.”
“Our nation’s Medal of Honor recipients should inspire every American,” said Congressman Nehls. “The Medal of Honor Act would ease the financial burdens of the 63 living Medal of Honor recipients and their families. Increasing the special pension for our nation’s Medal of Honor recipients is the least Congress can do to honor their bravery, valor, and selflessness. Thank you to Congressman Chris Pappas for joining me on this important legislation. The Senate must pass this bill immediately so it can be signed into law.”
Congressman Pappas spoke on the floor in support of his legislation ahead of the vote. View his remarks here.
Background:
The first Medal of Honor was given in 1863 to Army Private Jacob Parrott. Since then, there have been 3,536 Medal of Honor recipients, with 63 currently living. In 1916, Congress created a special pension for recipients of $10 per month for life. In 1961, Congress raised the monthly payment from $10 to $100. The last congressional pension raise was in 2002 when the pension was raised to $1,000 per month. The current Medal of Honor pension is set at $1,406.73 per month, without cost-of-living adjustments. If enacted into law, this bill will be the first congressional pension raise for Medal of Honor Recipients since 2002.