A Resolution urging the members of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives to review Major Richard D. Winters' actions at Heteren Crossroads in Holland in 1944 and to award him with the Congressional Medal of Honor.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Banta and 13 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania urges federal lawmakers to review Major Richard D. Winters’ actions in WWII and consider awarding him the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Reported as committed

Bill Overview

Name: House Resolution 515 (HR 515)

Session/Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania, 2025-2026 Regular Session

Primary Purpose: A resolution urging members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to review Major Richard D. Winters’ actions at Heteren Crossroads in Holland in 1944 and to award him the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Status: Referred to the Intergovernmental Affairs & Operations committee on May 29, 2026. No further action or votes recorded in the available data.

What the bill would do

The bill expresses a formal request to federal lawmakers to review Major Richard D. Winters’ World War II actions at a specific engagement (Heteren Crossroads, Holland, 1944).

It advocates for awarding Winters the Congressional Medal of Honor, which is the United States’ highest military decoration for valor.

As a House Resolution, HR 515 serves as a symbolic, non-binding statement by the Pennsylvania General Assembly urging federal recognition.

Key provisions and changes

Provisions are largely declarative and ceremonial, typical of a concurrent or joint resolution:

Urges the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives to undertake a review of Winters’ conduct at the 1944 engagement.
Requests consideration for the awarding of the Congressional Medal of Honor to Winters.

The resolution does not create new programs, funding, or regulatory authority, nor does it obligate state funds or modify existing law.

No specific criteria, timelines, or procedural steps for the review are codified in the bill itself; it is a call for federal action.

Who or what would be affected

Individuals:

Major Richard D. Winters (historical figure associated with the 101st Airborne Division, WWII hero).

Institutions:

United States Congress (as the target of the urging language).
The Pennsylvania General Assembly, which would formally adopt the resolution.

No direct fiscal impact or enforcement mechanism is attached to the resolution.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and sponsorship:

Prime Sponsor: Representative Thomas Mehaffie (House District 106).
Co-sponsors include a mix of Republican and Democratic lawmakers from various districts.

Committee action:

Referred to the Intergovernmental Affairs & Operations committee on May 29, 2026.

Timeline:

The text provided shows no further action beyond referral; resolutions typically progress through committee, potential floor consideration, and passage by the PA House and Senate, and then transmission to federal legislators. However, no dates or actions beyond referral are listed.

Legislative status:

As of the latest available update, HR 515 is a pending resolution with no enacted changes to law or funded programs.

Additional context

The bill is a memorializing/advocacy measure rather than a substantive policy bill.

If enacted, the resolution would signal broad support within Pennsylvania for recognizing Winters at the federal level, but it would not by itself guarantee or trigger any medal award. Any Medal of Honor decision remains at the discretion of the U.S. military and federal review processes.