WASHINGTON — In a move to bolster support for the nation’s most decorated military veterans, President Trump signed H.R. 695, the “Medal of Honor Act,” into law on Monday, December 1, 2025.
The bipartisan legislation, which swept through both the House of Representatives and the Senate with a unanimous vote, marks the most significant adjustment to the benefits of Medal of Honor recipients in decades.
The core of the new law is a substantial increase in the annual special pension provided to living recipients of the nation’s highest military award. Under the previous guidelines, recipients received approximately $16,880 annually. The Medal of Honor Act nearly quadruples that figure, raising the stipend to roughly $67,500 per year.
Supporters of the bill argued that the previous pension rate had not kept pace with the cost of living, leaving some heroes facing financial uncertainty. The stated purpose of the Act is to ease that financial burden, ensuring that those who displayed “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” are not left behind by the country they served.
“Medal of Honor recipients truly embody the best of our nation,” said the Bills sponsor Congressman Troy Nehls. “They never ask for special recognition or demand special treatment. Many of the living Medal of Honor recipients spend most of their time traveling our country, telling their stories inspiring the next generation of America’s heroes. My bill, the Medal of Honor Act, eases their financial burden by increasing their special pension—ensuring they know that America is grateful for all they’ve done to serve our country and defend our freedoms.”
The Medal of Honor is the United States government’s highest and most prestigious military decoration, awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor.
With the President’s signature, the Act takes immediate effect, securing a more stable financial future for the select few who wear the medal.
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