119th Congress (2025-2026)

S 858

Hershel ‘Woody' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act

Passed Origin Chamber

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Official source

Chamber

Senate

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Bill overview

This bill directs the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a monument honoring Medal of Honor recipients on the National Mall. It specifically mandates that the monument’s location must be within the ‘Reserve,’ which is the area extending from the Capitol to the Jefferson Memorial. The bill recognizes the importance of honoring Medal of Honor recipients and their sacrifices, particularly as the number of living recipients decreases.

Key provisions

Authorizes the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a monument.
Specifies that the monument must be located within the National Mall’s ‘Reserve’ area.
References Public Law 117-80, which previously authorized the foundation to establish a commemorative work.
Acknowledges the historical significance of the Medal of Honor and its establishment by Abraham Lincoln.
Highlights the declining number of living Medal of Honor recipients.
References the late Hershel Woody Williams, the last World War II Medal of Honor recipient.

Who is affected

National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation
Medal of Honor recipients and their families
The United States government
National Mall visitors
Citizens of the United States

Notable changes

Confirms the location of the monument within the designated ‘Reserve’ area of the National Mall, overriding previous regulations.

Positions across the country

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments in favor

Reasons to support this legislation.

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Arguments opposed

Reasons to oppose this legislation.

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Legislative history

2025-03-05Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

2025-03-05

Introduced in Senate

2025-12-09Senate

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

2025-12-17Senate

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Passage without roll call

The official record shows passage by unanimous consent or voice vote where no roll call was taken. No member-level tally is available for these steps, and the district map does not apply.

3/25/2026SenateUnanimous consent
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S1605)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
3/25/2026Unanimous consent
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls list how each member voted. Unanimous consent or voice vote appears in the official action history without a roll call; no member-level tally is available for those steps.

Passage without roll call

3/25/2026SenateUnanimous consent
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S1605)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
3/25/2026Unanimous consent
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

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Mar 5, 2025XMLView source

119th CONGRESS — 1st Session

S. 858

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

A BILL

To authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on the National Mall to honor the extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients.

1.Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Hershel ‘Woody' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act

2.Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)Congress in 2021 unanimously passed, and the President signed, Public Law 117–80 (40 U.S.C. 8903 note), which authorized the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish on Federal land in the District of Columbia a commemorative work to honor the acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients.

(2)The Medal of Honor was established by President Abraham Lincoln and first awarded 160 years ago on March 25, 1863, and is part of Lincoln’s lasting and living legacy.

(3)In 1991, during the administration of President George H.W. Bush, this legacy was extended further when National Medal of Honor Day was established as March 25th of each year.

(4)The Medal of Honor is awarded to all branches of the United States Armed Forces as our nation’s highest recognition for valor in combat.

(5)The number of living Medal of Honor recipients has been steadily declining, making it even more crucial to honor and recognize their heroic sacrifices and inspire future generations.

(6)Hershel Woody Williams, the last World War II Medal of Honor recipient, passed away in 2022 and laid in honor at the United States Capitol.

(7)The Medal of Honor represents the very best of our Nation—ordinary citizens, who took extraordinary action above and beyond the call of duty and became heroes of our Republic.

(8)These examples inspire all citizens and ignite within us the very spirit of America.

(9)The Medal of Honor rises to the level of supreme national and historical importance necessary to warrant representation on the National Mall.

(10)Locating the National Medal of Honor Monument in close proximity to the Lincoln Memorial within the Reserve would be a respectful extension of his enduring legacy and recognition of what ordinary people can accomplish when working for the greater good.

3.National Medal of Honor Monument Location

(a)SiteNotwithstanding section 8908(c) of title 40, United States Code, the commemorative work authorized by section 1(a) of Public Law 117–80 (40 U.S.C. 8903 note) shall be located within the Reserve (as defined in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code).

(b)Applicability of Commemorative Works ActExcept as provided in subsection (a), chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the Commemorative Works Act), shall apply to the commemorative work.

S 858