Pappas, Nehls Reintroduce Legislation to Increase Pension for Medal of Honor Recipients

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Troy Nehls (TX-22)reintroduced the bipartisan Medal of Honor Act, a bill that would increase the monthly pension for Medal of Honor Recipients to $100,000 annually. Medal of Honor Recipients currently receive only $1,406.73 per month. 

The first Medal of Honor was given in 1863 to Army Private Jacob Parrott. Since then, there have been 3,535 Medal of Honor recipients, with 64 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. 

“The Medal of Honor is our nation’s highest military decoration for the men and women of our military distinguished for their bravery in service to our country. We must honor our service members that have earned this award by ensuring they are financially secure after their military service is over,” said Congressman Pappas. “I joined Congressman Nehls on this bipartisan legislation to increase the monthly pension for Medal of Honor recipients because we must keep our promise to our service members and veterans.”

“Our nation’s Medal of Honor recipients went above and beyond the call of duty in their service to our country,” said Congressman Nehls. “I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to increase the monthly pension our nation’s Medal of Honor recipients receive to ease their financial burdens. Let’s get this bill across the finish line.”