HB 695, the Medal of Honor Act, amends title 38 of the U.S. Code to increase the special monthly pension paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs to living Medal of Honor recipients. Instead of the current fixed dollar amount, the pension would be tied to the monthly compensation rate for a veteran without dependents under VA disability compensation law, increased to the next intermediate rate. The bill also prevents the pension from being increased more than once in the same year under the annual adjustment provision.
In addition to the pension increase, the bill extends a separate statutory limit related to certain pension payments from November 30, 2031, to January 31, 2033. The measure is framed as a recognition of the extraordinary service and gallantry of Medal of Honor recipients and is intended to ensure their special pension better reflects the significance of their award.
Impact
The bill directly amends section 1562 of title 38, United States Code, changing how the VA calculates the special pension for Medal of Honor recipients and adding a rule to avoid duplicative annual increases. It also amends section 5503(d)(7) of title 38 to extend an existing deadline for certain pension payment limits. The practical effect is to increase federal benefit payments to eligible Medal of Honor recipients and to adjust related veterans’ pension administration within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment around the bill appears strongly supportive and noncontroversial. The House passed the measure on suspension of the rules by a vote of 424-0, indicating broad bipartisan agreement and no recorded opposition. The bill’s findings and title emphasize honor, sacrifice, and recognition of military heroism, which likely contributed to its unanimous support.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record. The main policy choice is the size and structure of the pension increase—specifically, linking the benefit to a VA compensation rate rather than keeping a fixed dollar amount—and the bill also includes a technical limitation on repeated annual increases. Any discussion would likely center on cost, benefit indexing, and veterans’ compensation administration, but no opposing arguments or committee disputes are provided in the available materials.
Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 25, 2026, as Medal of Honor Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Medal of Honor Day