American Rescuers of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Suzanne Bonamici and 18 co-sponsors

The bill would award a single Congressional Gold Medal to Americans who rescued Jews and other refugees during the Holocaust, recognizing their lifesaving actions.

Introduced in House

Bill Overview

Name: HR 9400 (Congressional Gold Medal Act)

Session: 119

Purpose: To award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Americans who were active in rescuing and aiding Jews and other refugees during the period of Nazi Germany's genocidal policy known as the Final Solution. The designation recognizes their efforts which helped spare tens of thousands of Jews and others from murder.

Main Purpose and Intent

Official Recognition: Create a collective Congressional Gold Medal honoring ordinary and extraordinary Americans who engaged in rescue, aid, or shelter activities for Jewish people and other refugees during the Holocaust.

Historical Acknowledgment: Highlight the valor and humanitarian actions taken in the face of genocidal policies, and commemorate those individuals’ contributions to saving lives.

Key Provisions and Changes

Medal Authorization: Establishes authorization for awarding a Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of the United States.

Recipient Scope: Applies to Americans who were active in rescuing and aiding Jews and other refugees during the Final Solution period (Nazi Germany’s genocidal policy).

Nature of Award: A single, collective Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the group of rescuers, rather than individual recipients.

Administration and Presentation: The bill typically designates the process for design, production, and presentation of the medal, including agency coordination (often the U.S. Mint and relevant congressional offices), though exact administrative details may be provided in the enacted text.

Commemorative Guidance: May include language for inscriptions and public ceremonies to honor the recipients and their acts.

Who/What Would Be Affected

Honorees: Americans who participated in rescue and aid efforts for Jews and other refugees during the Final Solution period.

Government Entities: Congressional leadership and designated federal agencies (e.g., U.S. Mint) involved in the creation, authorization, and presentation of the medal.

Public Memory: Enhances national recognition of humanitarian actions during the Holocaust, influencing education, commemorations, and historical awareness.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services (as of 2026-06-23) after introduction.

Introduction Date: 2026-06-23

Sponsorship: Multiple co-sponsors listed, including notable Members of Congress across party and geography, reflecting broad support.

Next Steps: The bill would typically move through committee consideration, potential amendments, and floor action in the House, followed by potential passage and Senate consideration, and any required presidential signature for enactment.

Additional Context

This type of bill follows a common pattern for national recognition of humanitarian acts during crises, providing a symbolic but prestigious honor intended to educate the public and preserve memory of rescuers.

While the Congressional Gold Medal is primarily symbolic, such legislation can raise awareness, inspire continued study of history, and publicly acknowledge courage and humanitarianism.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize specific audiences (e.g., educators, historians, or policy makers) or compare it to similar past commemorations.