Medal of Honor Act

This section would let the Act be called the "Medal of Honor Act".

This section states Congress's findings. Congress finds that the Medal of Honor is the highest and most prestigious military decoration of the United States. Congress finds that to earn the Medal of Honor, a person's deed must be so outstanding that it clearly sets the person's gallantry apart, beyond the call of duty, from lesser forms of bravery. Congress finds that the actions of Medal of Honor recipients inspire bravery, and a willingness to give all, in those who serve in the Armed Forces now and those who will serve in the future. Congress finds that those listed on the Medal of Honor Roll show the best traits of members of the Armed Forces, as part of a long and proud line of people who went beyond the call of duty. Congress finds that under section 1562 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must pay a special pension each month to every living person whose name has been entered on the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard Medal of Honor Roll. Congress finds that Medal of Honor recipients have earned a substantial and historic increase to that special pension, in recognition of their conspicuous gallantry, unwavering commitment, and heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty.

This section would make two changes to section 1562 of title 38, United States Code. First, it would raise the monthly special pension paid under section 1562(a)(1) to living Medal of Honor recipients from $1,406.73 to $8,333.33. Second, in the provision captioned "Amount of special pension payable to surviving spouses," it would amend section 1562(a)(2)(A) by replacing the phrase "special pension under this section" with the word "monthly," and by replacing the period at the end of that provision with the following text: "a special pension under this section at the rate of $1,406.73, as adjusted from time to time under subsection (e)." The bill text does not include the rest of the current wording of section 1562(a)(2)(A), so this rendering cannot state how the full provision would read after these edits, or what the surviving spouse's special pension amount was before this bill.