“We Cannot Ever Truly Repay Them”
After going through the longest government shutdown in American history, which ended after 43 days on November 12, seeing legislation pass unanimously is something not to be taken for granted.
Such was the case for the MEDAL Act, which stands for Monetary Enhancement for Distinguished Active Legends Act.
Through this legislation, living recipients of the military’s highest award for valor will see their monthly pension increase, going from $1,406.73 a month to $8,333.33.
Annually, the new figure amounts to $99,999.96, which is well over the previous annual earnings of $16,880.76.
Presently, there are only 61 living Medal of Honor recipients.
The bill passed in the House of Representatives back in February, with a vote of 424-0; and went on to pass in the Senate through a unanimous consent vote on November 7.
On Monday, December 1, the bill was signed into law by President Donald Trump.
More About The Bill
While the bill was originally introduced to the House as the Medal of Honor Act, it was later presented to the Senate by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX, under the monicker of the MEDAL Act.
Just before the November 7 vote in the Senate to send the bill to President Trump’s desk, Cruz told fellow senators about the need to support America’s heroes in a big way.
Describing the actions of those who have received the Medal of Honor as being that of “gallantry” and “heroism” that is “above and beyond the call of duty,” Cruz went on to say these service members are “beacons of hope and courage to future generations.”
The Medal of Honor was first awarded in 1863, but it would be nearly 100 years before the distinction would include a pension.
Cruz noted that it was in 1960 that a pension was first established for Medal of Honor recipients, with Congress approving $10 a month to each living recipient of the award.
Over time, that meager $10 a month was expanded upon over the decades, growing until it reached $1,406.73 a month.
“Let us pause and think about that,” said Cruz. “$1,400 a month for those who risked everything: their safety, their future, their very lives for freedom.”
He added:
“We cannot ever truly repay them. There is no sum, there is no medal, there are no words that can measure up to their sacrifice, but there are ways that we can continue to honor them, by ensuring that they are cared for, respected, and supported.”
Further, he said, “This legislation is a way for this nation to say, ‘We see you, we remember you, and we will not forget what you have done.”
Accounts of the bravery exhibited by these members of the Armed Forces may be read on the website of the Medal of Honor Society.
Watch Cruz preface the bill ahead of the Senate voting to approve it, here:
Here, Trump can be seen with lawmakers, as well as three recipients of the Medal of Honor, as the bill was signed into law on December 1:
