WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 7211 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-81

To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley for acts of valor during the Vietnam War, and for other purposes.

Became lawArmed Forces and National Security
IntroducedJan 22, 2026
Passed HouseFeb 3, 2026
Passed SenateMar 3, 2026
To PresidentMar 24, 2026
Became lawMar 26, 2026

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 7211 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. 1 Authorization for award of Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley for acts of valor as a member of the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War
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

    This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley for his acts of valor on April 2, 1972, as a member of the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, for which he was previously awarded the Navy Cross.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Passed Senate, Mar 3, 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. 2026-03-26Became Public Law No: 119-81.Library of Congress
    2. 2026-03-26Became Public Law No: 119-81.Library of Congress
    3. 2026-03-26Signed by President.Library of Congress
    4. 2026-03-26Signed by President.Library of Congress
    5. 2026-03-24Presented to President.House floor actions
    6. 2026-03-24Presented to President.Library of Congress
    7. 2026-03-04Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
    8. 2026-03-03Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S767)Senate
    9. 2026-03-03Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
    10. 2026-03-03Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.Senate
    11. 2026-03-03Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
    12. 2026-02-04Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.Senate
    13. 2026-02-03Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
    14. 2026-02-03On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H1967)House floor actions
    15. 2026-02-03Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H1967)Library of Congress
    16. 2026-02-03Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H1967)House floor actions
    17. 2026-02-03Mr. Bacon asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.House floor actions
    18. 2026-02-03Committee on Armed Services discharged.House floor actions
    19. 2026-02-03Committee on Armed Services discharged.Library of Congress
    20. 2026-01-22Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.House floor actions
    21. 2026-01-22Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
    22. 2026-01-22Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show key steps only

    After it became law

    Sourced

    Nothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-81 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.