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SJR 14

World War II Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Christopher Cabaldon and 3 co-sponsors

California urges Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to World War II Army and Navy nurses in recognition of their service.

Referred to Com. on M. & V.A.
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Bill Summary · SJR 14

Summary of SJR 14 (2025-2026) — World War II Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act

Purpose and intent

  • SJR 14 is a California Senate Joint Resolution introduced by Senator Cabaldon (with Assembly Member Caloza as principal coauthor and additional coauthors Grayson and Umberg).
  • The resolution urges the United States Congress to act favorably on federal legislation (S. 2195 in the Senate and H.R. 4901 in the House) to award a Congressional Gold Medal to World War II nurses who served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and U.S. Navy Nurse Corps.
  • The measure reflects California’s support for recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of World War II-era nurses, including those who served under challenging conditions and in diverse communities.

Key provisions and changes

  • The bill itself does not grant any state-level benefits or create new programs; rather, it publicly urges federal action to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal.
  • It references existing federal bills:
    • Senate Bill 2195 (Senator Tammy Baldwin’s measure) and House Bill 4901 (Representative Elise Stefanik’s measure) aimed at awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to World War II nurses.
  • The resolution would:
    • Condemn or recognize the service of more than 59,000 Army nurses and 14,000 Navy nurses during World War II.
    • Highlight the nurses’ roles in combat zones, on hospital ships, evacuation missions, and humanitarian postwar relief (e.g., Hiroshima relief efforts and refugee camps in Europe).
    • Acknowledge the diversity within World War II nursing corps, including African American, Chinese American, and Japanese American nurses, along with those from U.S. territories.
    • Note historical issues such as military status, pay, and veteran benefits disparities faced by these nurses.

Who/what would be affected

  • The primary effect is symbolic and ceremonial: it signals California’s intent to support federal recognition of World War II nurses with the Congressional Gold Medal.
  • The resolution targets members of Congress (Senate and House) from California, urging cosponsorship and swift consideration of S. 2195 and H.R. 4901.
  • No immediate fiscal impact or programmatic changes are imposed at the state level.

Procedural/timeline aspects

  • Introduced: April 22, 2026.
  • Subsequent action history shows:
    • Referred to Committee on Rules, then
    • Re-referred to Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs (as of April 29, 2026).
  • The resolution directs transmission of copies to California’s congressional delegation and federal leadership, emphasizing fast congressional consideration of the related federal bills.

Notable contextual details

  • The bill underscores the broader historical significance of World War II nurses and aligns with bipartisan federal recognition efforts.
  • It serves as a formal expression of California’s appreciation and advocacy for honoring the nursing corps’ service and sacrifices at the national level.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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