Official Summaries

Medal of Honor Act

This bill increases the monthly special pension for living Medal of Honor recipients from $1,406.73 to $8,333.33 and establishes a rate of $1,406.73 for the monthly special pension for surviving spouses of Medal of Honor recipients. Both amounts must be adjusted annually for inflation.

Medal of Honor Act

This act increases the monthly special pension for living Medal of Honor recipients. The act also prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from increasing the amount of the pension for inflation if the amount was already increased during such year.

Additionally, the act extends a limitation on the pension paid to veterans who reside in Medicaid nursing homes and have no spouse or child. Currently, such pensions are limited to $90 per month through November 30, 2031. The act extends this limitation through January 31, 2033.

Current Full Text

[119th Congress Public Law 43]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 139 STAT. 667]]

Public Law 119-43
119th Congress

                                 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. <<NOTE: Dec. 1, 2025 -  [H.R. 695]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Medal of Honor 
Act.>> 
SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 38 USC 101 note.>> 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

[[Page 139 STAT. 668]]

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''.

    Approved December 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 695:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 171 (2025):
            Feb. 26, considered and passed House.
            Nov. 7, considered and passed Senate.

                                  <all>