In an Oval Office ceremony, President Donald Trump (R) signed the Medal of Honor Act into law. This legislation increases the monthly special pension for living Medal of Honor recipients to about $67,500 (tax free) annually. This new law also establishes a rate of $1,406.73 for the monthly special pension for surviving spouses of Medal of Honor recipients. Both amounts must be adjusted annually for inflation.
Congress first approved awarding Medal of Honor recipients pensions beyond any other government benefits in 1916, according to the Military Times. The last increase Medal of Honor recipients received was in 2002, when lawmakers approved a $1,000 monthly payment—it had since been adjusted for inflation.
“We’ve been trying to get this done for years,” said Lt. General (Ret.) Leroy Sisco, who was at the White House for the signing ceremony. “President Trump is such an incredible supporter of our troops and our freedom. There were several Medal of Honor recipients in the room when President Trump signed this needed increase into law. The president graciously received them all and left us humbled and so deeply appreciative for his leadership.”
Sisco, who is a member of the NRA Board of Directors and the founder of the Military Warriors Support Foundation, which provides mortgage-free homes, vehicles, and support to wounded veterans and Gold Star families, also thanked Rep. Troy E. Nehls (R-Texas), Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and the cosponsors of this legislation for helping to guide this legislation through the House and Senate.
“A great nation supports its heroes,” said Doug Hamlin, executive vice president and CEO of the NRA. “President Donald Trump is a leader who understands this. I was not surprised to hear that one of our board members also played a part in promoting this legislation. From its founding, the NRA has a long, important and storied relationship with our nation’s armed forces. This is one reason why so many active-duty military personnel and veterans are members of the NRA. Another is that when you sign up to fight for our freedom, you also know how important it is to advocate for that freedom at home.”
The law directly benefits living Medal of Honor recipients, ensuring they receive rightful compensation.Â
