119-HR-3497 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary: Medal of Sacrifice Act (H.R. 3497)

Headline Summary: A new national medal would honor police, firefighters, and other first responders who die in the line of duty; the bill cleared a House committee on December 18, 2025, and could move to a full House vote next. [1]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — H.R.3497 — 119th Congress: Bill Text (Intr…[2]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — H.R.3497 — 119th Congress: Overview and Ac…

What It Does: The President would award a “Medal of Sacrifice” to fallen local, state, or federal officers and first responders. A 12‑member commission would help oversee design, eligibility, and presentation, and the bill excludes cases where the employing agency makes an official finding of wrongdoing (with the commission reviewing such cases). The bill also names three Palm Beach County deputies for the initial awards; the White House has already held a ceremony presenting these inaugural medals while the bill moves through Congress. [1]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — H.R.3497 — 119th Congress: Bill Text (Intr…[3]The White House — From the Oval Office: President Trump Presents Medals of Sacr…[4]Office of Rep. Brian Mast — President Trump and Rep. Mast Honor Fallen Law Enfo…

• Sponsor: Rep. Brian Mast (R‑FL). The bill has 28 cosponsors as of December 18, 2025. Supporters frame it as a formal, national way to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. [2]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — H.R.3497 — 119th Congress: Overview and Ac…[4]Office of Rep. Brian Mast — President Trump and Rep. Mast Honor Fallen Law Enfo…
• President Donald J. Trump highlighted support by hosting an Oval Office event to present the first Medals of Sacrifice to three fallen deputies’ families. [3]The White House — From the Oval Office: President Trump Presents Medals of Sacr…
• House Judiciary Committee advanced the bill by voice vote on December 18, 2025. [2]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — H.R.3497 — 119th Congress: Overview and Ac…[5]House Judiciary Committee (Republicans) — Markup of H.R. 6260, H.R. 5213, H.R.…

• No organized opposition is on record in the committee markup; the measure advanced by voice vote without listed “no” votes. [2]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — H.R.3497 — 119th Congress: Overview and Ac…
• Potential questions some may raise: whether this new medal overlaps with existing federal honors (like the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor or the Congressional Badge of Bravery), how clear and fair the “official wrongdoing” exclusion will be in practice, and what it will cost to administer a new commission. [6]DOJ Bureau of Justice Assistance — Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor[7]DOJ Bureau of Justice Assistance — Recognizing Bravery & Sacrifice (Medal of Va…[1]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — H.R.3497 — 119th Congress: Bill Text (Intr…

What’s Next: After the committee prepares its report, House leaders could schedule a floor vote. If it passes the House, the bill would move to the Senate; both chambers must pass the same text before it can go to the President’s desk. As of December 19, 2025, the bill is at the House committee stage following the December 18 vote. [2]Congress.gov (Library of Congress) — H.R.3497 — 119th Congress: Overview and Ac…