WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 3497 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-94

Medal of Sacrifice Act

Became lawCrime and Law Enforcement
IntroducedMay 19, 2025
Passed HouseFeb 2, 2026
Passed SenateMay 11, 2026
To PresidentMay 20, 2026
Became lawMay 28, 2026

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 3497 doesn't change any existing section of law. It created 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text in its final form, as sent to the President.

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders
What the words changed: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what was struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    Medal of Sacrifice Act of 2025

    This act directs the President to issue a medal of sacrifice for eligible law enforcement officers and first responders who are killed in the line of duty.

    The act also directs the President to establish a commission on the medal of sacrifice and appoint its members. The act sets forth responsibilities of the commission, including to advise on the design of the medal and determine how the medal will be presented.

    Under the act, eligible law enforcement officers and first responders include federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial law enforcement officers or first responders who are not subject to an official act of wrongdoing (e.g., a determination that the officer or first responder acted outside the scope of their duties or in a manner that was not in accordance with official policies or procedures).

    A law enforcement officer or first responder who is subject to an official act of wrongdoing is generally not eligible for the medal of sacrifice. However, in the case of such an officer or first responder, the act requires the commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the officer or first responder's cause of death and issue a final determination on their eligibility.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law, May 28, 2026).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. 2026-05-28Became Public Law No: 119-94.Library of Congress
    2. 2026-05-28Became Public Law No: 119-94.Library of Congress
    3. 2026-05-28Signed by President.Library of Congress
    4. 2026-05-28Signed by President.Library of Congress
    5. 2026-05-20Presented to President.House floor actions
    6. 2026-05-20Presented to President.Library of Congress
    7. 2026-05-12Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
    8. 2026-05-11Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2204; text: CR S2204)Senate
    9. 2026-05-11Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
    10. 2026-05-11Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.Senate
    11. 2026-05-11Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
    12. 2026-02-03Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.Senate
    13. 2026-02-02Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
    14. 2026-02-02On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1925-1926)House floor actions
    15. 2026-02-02Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1925-1926)Library of Congress
    16. 2026-02-02DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3497.House floor actions
    17. 2026-02-02Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1925-1927)House floor actions
    18. 2026-02-02Mr. Jordan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
    19. 2026-01-27Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 399.House floor actions
    20. 2026-01-27Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-466.House floor actions
    21. 2026-01-27Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-466.Library of Congress
    22. 2025-12-18Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.House committee actions
    23. 2025-12-18Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
    24. 2025-05-19Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.House floor actions
    25. 2025-05-19Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
    26. 2025-05-19Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show key steps only

    After it became law

    Sourced

    Nothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-94 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.

    Cosponsors

    • Andy Barr R-KY-6
    • Tom Barrett R-MI-7
    • Ken Calvert R-CA-41
    • Salud O. Carbajal D-CA-24
    • Ben Cline R-VA-6
    • J. Luis Correa D-CA-46
    • Donald G. Davis D-NC-1
    • Byron Donalds R-FL-19
    • Neal P. Dunn R-FL-2
    • Mike Ezell R-MS-4
    • Scott Fitzgerald R-WI-5
    • Brian K. Fitzpatrick R-PA-1
    • Lois Frankel D-FL-22
    • Brandon Gill R-TX-26
    • Marie Gluesenkamp Perez D-WA-3
    • Rep. Tony Gonzales R-TX-23
    • Clay Higgins R-LA-3
    • Michael Lawler R-NY-17
    • Laurel M. Lee R-FL-15
    • Ryan Mackenzie R-PA-7
    • Mark B. Messmer R-IN-8
    • Dave Min D-CA-47
    • Tim Moore R-NC-14
    • Jared Moskowitz D-FL-23
    • Troy E. Nehls R-TX-22
    • John H. Rutherford R-FL-5
    • Maria Elvira Salazar R-FL-27
    • Derek Schmidt R-KS-2
    • Victoria Spartz R-IN-5
    • Bryan Steil R-WI-1
    • W. Gregory Steube R-FL-17
    • Thomas R. Suozzi D-NY-3
    • David J. Taylor R-OH-2
    • Jefferson Van Drew R-NJ-2
    • Eugene Simon Vindman D-VA-7
    • Daniel Webster R-FL-11