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Mar 02, 2026

House Passes Bill To 4x Annual Payments for Medal of Honor Recipients

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a rare and powerful display of bipartisan unity, the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives voted 424-0 this week to quadruple the pensions for the nation’s most decorated military heroes. The legislation seeks to raise the annual stipend for the 60 living Medal of Honor recipients from $16,880 to $67,500, ensuring that those who displayed "extraordinary bravery" in battle do not face financial hardship.

The bill, championed by Reps. Troy Nehls (R-TX) and Chris Pappas (D-NH), aims to offset the significant travel and speaking expenses often incurred by recipients as they share their stories of valor across the country. If signed into law by President Donald Trump, this will be the most significant increase to the pension program since its inception in 1916.


Honoring Valor: The Case for Maj. James Capers

While the bill moves to the Senate, a growing movement in Congress is advocating for President Trump to award the Medal of Honor to Maj. James Capers, a Black Vietnam War veteran whose story has become a symbol of selfless sacrifice:

  • The Phú Lộc Ambush (1967): Then-Lt. Capers led his unit through a devastating ambush, surviving 19 pieces of shrapnel and a shattered leg.

  • The Ultimate Sacrifice: Despite his injuries, Capers attempted to jump from a struggling medevac helicopter to lighten the load so his men could escape.

  • The Survivors' Testimony: Sworn statements from his Marines credit Capers’ refusal to surrender command for their survival.

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