[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 187 (Friday, November 7, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7976-S7977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           MEDAL OF HONOR ACT

  Mr. CRUZ. Madam President, I rise today to honor a very special group 
of Americans--the soldiers, the sailors, the marines, and the airmen 
who have fought bravely for this Nation, but who have received the very 
highest distinction that any member of the Armed Forces can earn, the 
Medal of Honor.
  Since 1863, Presidents of the United States have awarded the Medal of 
Honor to more than 3,500 of the bravest men and women ever to wear the 
uniform of this Nation. Each one has demonstrated valor, gallantry, and 
heroism above and beyond the call of duty, with acts so selfless, so 
extraordinary that they stand as beacons of courage for future 
generations.
  In 1960, Congress passed Public Law 6556, establishing the Army and 
Navy Medal of Honor Roll and entitling each Medal of Honor recipient to 
a modest special pension of $10 per month for life.
  Over time, that monthly amount has gradually increased from $10 to 
$100, to what stands today at approximately $1,400 per month.
  But let's pause and think about that: $1,400 a month for those who 
risked everything--their safety, their future, their very lives for 
freedom, for the opportunity for all of us to be here today.
  Today, there are 61 living Medal of Honor recipients, 61 men who 
faced unthinkable odds, who put their country before themselves so that 
the rest of us could live in peace. We cannot truly ever repay them. 
There is no sum, there is no medal, there are no words that can measure 
up to their sacrifice. But there are ways that we can continue to honor 
them, by ensuring that they are cared for, respected, and supported.
  In January of this year, I introduced the Medals Act, my legislation 
to raise the monthly pension for Medal of Honor recipients. This 
legislation is a way for this Nation to say: We see you, we remember 
you, and we will not forget what you have done.
  Many of these heroes spend their time traveling the country, speaking 
to schoolchildren, visiting military hospitals, and strengthening the 
very fabric of America.
  This monetary increase will allow them to continue those efforts and 
to reach more communities, mentor more veterans, and remind all of us 
about the cost of freedom.
  And I would like to take a moment to recognize nine Medal of Honor 
recipients who currently live in the Lone Star State. We honor them, 
and we cherish them.
  I would also like to recognize the 139 Medal of Honor recipients who 
were either born in, entered the service from, or died in Texas. These 
are America's heroes, and they are heroes for the great State of Texas.
  Now, I would like to take a moment to recognize the Medal of Honor 
recipients here in the Gallery: LTC William Swenson and COL Paris 
Davis.
  In just a moment, I will propound a unanimous consent request to take 
up and pass H.R. 695, the House-passed version of the Medal Act that 
passed

[[Page S7977]]

the House 424 to 0. I urge my colleagues to join me, as our companions 
in the House have already done, in supporting this measure, in passing 
it into law, in sending it directly to the President's desk to be 
signed into law, and showing that, when it comes to honoring our 
Nation's very greatest heroes, we are united, and we speak with one 
voice.
  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 695, 
and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 695) 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.

  There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the 
Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. CRUZ. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a 
third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made 
and laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 695) was ordered to a third reading, was read the 
third time, and passed.
  Mr. CRUZ. I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.

                          ____________________