MEDAL OF SACRIFICE ACT OF 2025

On 2026-02-02, Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5) delivered a floor speech titled "MEDAL OF SACRIFICE ACT OF 2025" in the House. The speech addressed gun policy and also covered taxes, the environment. It referenced legislation: HR3497.

MEDAL OF SACRIFICE ACT OF 2025

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 23 (Monday, February 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 23 (Monday, February 2, 2026)] [House] [Pages H1925-H1927] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] MEDAL OF SACRIFICE ACT OF 2025 Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3497) to establish a medal of service for law enforcement officers and first responders, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3497 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, [[Page H1926]] SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Medal of Sacrifice Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. MEDAL OF SACRIFICE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS. (a) Medal of Sacrifice for Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders.--The President shall issue a medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders who were killed in the line of duty. (b) Eligibility.-- (1) In general.--A local, State, Tribal, territorial, or Federal law enforcement officer or first responder who was killed in the line of duty shall be eligible for the medal of sacrifice established under subsection (a). (2) Exception.-- (A) In general.--A local, State, Tribal, territorial, or Federal law enforcement officer or first responder who is killed in the line of duty, but who is subject to an official finding of wrongdoing, shall not be eligible for the medal of sacrifice established under subsection (a). (B) Investigation.--In the case of an official finding of wrongdoing, the Commission established under subsection (c) shall investigate the circumstances surrounding the law enforcement officer's or first responder's cause of death, including considering any findings by the local, State, Tribal, territorial, or Federal agency with respect to the officer's or responder's death. The Commission established under subsection (c) shall make a final determination as to the officer's eligibility for the medal established under subsection (a). (C) Official finding of wrongdoing.--In this paragraph, the term ``official finding of wrongdoing'' means a determination by the law enforcement officer's or first responders' superior officer or employing law agency that the officer acted outside of the scope of their duties or not in accordance with the agency's official policies or procedures. (c) Commission on Medal of Sacrifice for Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders.-- (1) Establishment.--The President shall establish a Commission on the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders (hereinafter known as the ``Commission''). (2) Appointment.--Not later than 150 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall appoint 12 members of the Commission. Such members shall be law enforcement officers, first responders, and representatives of organizations knowledgeable about law enforcement. (3) Term.--Members of the Commission shall be appointed for a term of 5 years and shall be eligible to serve up to two terms, either consecutively or non-consecutively. The President shall make appointments to fill such vacancies as may occur on the Board. (4) Prohibition on payment.--Members shall not be paid for serving on the Commission. (5) Responsibilities.--The Commission shall-- (A) advise the Commission on the design of the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders; (B) promote the establishment of the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders; (C) determine how the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders shall be presented; (D) make any final determination necessary pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(B); and (E) advise the President regarding criteria for assessing eligibility pursuant to subsection (b). (6) Initial award.--The Commission shall award the following law enforcement officers the medal of sacrifice: (A) Deputy Ralph ``Butch'' Waller (Badge #8434); (B) Deputy Ignacio ``Dan'' Diaz (Badge #7637); and (C) Deputy Luis Paez (Badge #3882). (7) Sunset.--The Commission shall cease to exist on the date on which the President determines that the Commission has completed each responsibility under paragraph (5). (d) Description.--The medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders shall be a modified quatrefoil, with rounded lobes extending from a central octagon. The field incorporates features of the Great Seal of the United States, redesigned by Tiffany & Co in 1885. The American eagle is charged with a coat of arms as a shield, argent, on a chevron gules between three lions rampant azure, as many chevronels argent; the crest, out of a coronet or, a double-tailed lion rampant azure, holding in its dexter paw a torch or enflamed proper; and ``Integritas'' included as a motto. Surrounding the seal are mullets, 47 in number, alternating with three rampant lions and incorporating four chevrons. In base, the word ``SACRIFICE'' is inscribed. In dexter base, three oak leaves are placed, symbolizing the national tree of the U.S., representing strength, resilience, and honoring the families and widows of the fallen. The reverse of the medal is sandblasted and bears an engraving of the names of the fallen heroes. The medal is suspended from a ribbon, either Azure or Gules depending on the fallen hero being honored. The ribbon bail is prepared and attached by hand soldering to the back of the medal. The medal is crafted from Silver Ag925 with 24k Gold Vermeil, with a weight of approximately 63 grams. It has a diameter of 2.25 inches. The Vermeil plating has a thickness of 2.5 microns. The medal combines national symbols with heraldic elements to represent the sacrifice of the fallen deputies. The use of Silver and Gold signifies the value and honor associated with their service. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Jordan) and the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio. General Leave Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Ohio? There was no objection. Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3497, the Medal of Sacrifice Act of 2025, honors law enforcement officers and other first responders who are killed in the line of duty. This bill authorizes the President to award a medal to those law enforcement officers and first responders. Law enforcement officers and other first responders courageously face danger to protect American communities. While others may flee, law enforcement and first responders run toward crises. Law enforcement officers uphold public safety by enforcing laws and maintaining order. First responders save lives during emergencies despite the risks to their own safety. These brave men and women provide essential help in times of need, embodying sacrifice for the greater good. Some law enforcement and first responders make the ultimate sacrifice in serving their communities. In 2024, the FBI reported that 64 law enforcement personnel were murdered while on duty. That same year, another 56 law enforcement officers died because of traffic-related incidents. The National Fire Protection Association reported that there were 62 fatalities from injuries to firefighters in the United States in 2024. The medal of sacrifice will honor these brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3497, the Medal of Sacrifice Act. Every year, over 100 sworn law enforcement officers and over 100 firefighters die while on duty or from hazardous conditions related to their service. While there are a number of different memorials for them, there is currently no memorial or medal that honors all public safety officers who die in the line of duty. From 2015 to 2024, the leading causes of death for law enforcement officers were: COVID-19, job-related illness, car accidents, and shootings. These causes are responsible for 94 percent of line of duty law enforcement deaths. I have had conversations with the families of fallen officers about their pain and struggles. They are why I worked to push forward a bipartisan bill, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, which expands disability benefits for the families of firefighters and other first responders who develop cancer because of their service. We were able to bring 179 colleagues together on a bipartisan basis to pass this measure, which was signed into law last December, to honor sacrifice not just in remembrance but through tangible support. In that same spirit, I think we can, and must, come together on a bipartisan basis to do more to keep officers and the communities they serve safe in the first place by: investing in public health, making our roads safer, and combating gun violence so we can keep weapons out of dangerous hands. Finally, in addition to this recognition, I can't really imagine what is going through the minds of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle when they say they support this bill when Republican leadership in the House still hasn't complied with the 2022 law passed by this body to honor the men and women of the Capitol Police and beyond who protected and defended us and our democracy on January 6, 2021. It is a stain upon this institution that the plaque dedicated to those officers, to their patriotism and sacrifice, has not yet be

Referenced legislation: HR3497, HR3497