President Jimmy Carter Congressional Gold Medal Act
Summary
HB1369, titled the President Jimmy Carter Congressional Gold Medal Act, would authorize Congress to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to former President Jimmy Carter in recognition of his service to the nation. The bill includes a series of findings describing Carter’s life and public service, including his naval career, Georgia political service, presidency, post-presidential humanitarian work, and receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize.
The legislation directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the medal’s presentation and requires the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike the medal with Jimmy Carter’s image and name. After presentation, the medal would be given to the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The bill also authorizes the Treasury to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals, treats the medals as national medals and numismatic items under federal law, and allows costs to be paid from the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund, with proceeds from duplicate sales returned to that fund.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would create a new federal commemorative medal honoring Jimmy Carter and would add to the body of law governing Congressional Gold Medals and U.S. Mint operations. It would not change substantive rights or obligations for private parties, but it would authorize federal spending for design and production costs and establish the legal status of the medal and any duplicates under title 31 of the U.S. Code. The medal would ultimately be transferred to the Carter Center, making that organization the recipient of the official award.
Sentiment
The bill appears strongly favorable and largely ceremonial in nature, with no recorded opposition in the provided materials. Its findings and sponsor list reflect broad bipartisan admiration for Jimmy Carter’s military service, presidency, humanitarian work, and global peace efforts. The absence of committee transcript debate or recorded votes suggests the measure was introduced as a tribute rather than a contested policy proposal.
Contention
No notable points of contention are reflected in the provided record. Because the bill is a posthumous honorific measure, any discussion would likely center on the appropriateness of the tribute, the symbolism of a Congressional Gold Medal, and the administrative cost of striking the medal, but no objections or competing views are included in the available materials. The only practical issue addressed in the text is the use of Mint funds and the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover costs.