Medal of Honor Act Public Law 119–43 Medal of Honor Act 43 119–43 Statute Compilation United States House of Representatives Office of the Legislative Counsel text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. GPO Statute Compilations USLM converter, version 20240419 2026-02-27 Medal of Honor Act 18294 119 2025-12-01 Medal of Honor Act [(Public Law 119–43)] [This law has not been amended] [Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of Public Law 119–43. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/] [Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]
AN ACTTo amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the rate of the special pension payable to Medal of Honor recipients, and for other purposes.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. [38 U.S.C. 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 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”.