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HR 3497 Became law

Establishes a presidential medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders killed in the line of duty, and creates a commission to advise on its design and eligibility.

Official title: Medal of Sacrifice Act

Outcome Public Law 119-94
Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions
House
Introduced 19-MAY-2025
Referred 19-MAY-2025
Approved by committee 18-DEC-2025
Reported 27-JAN-2026
On the calendar 27-JAN-2026
Passed 02-FEB-2026
Senate
Received 03-FEB-2026
Passed 11-MAY-2026
President
Presented 20-MAY-2026
Signed 28-MAY-2026
Became law 28-MAY-2026
Key points
  • Directs the President to issue a medal of sacrifice to local, State, Tribal, territorial, and Federal law enforcement officers and first responders killed in the line of duty.
  • Bars anyone subject to an official finding of wrongdoing, meaning a determination that they acted outside their duties or agency policy, and has the commission make the final eligibility decision in those cases.
  • Requires the President to appoint a 12-member commission within 150 days, with five-year terms, and ends the commission once its responsibilities are complete.
  • Awards the first medals to Deputy Ralph "Butch" Waller, Deputy Ignacio "Dan" Diaz, and Deputy Luis Paez, and specifies a silver and 24k gold vermeil medal about 2.25 inches across.
AI-generated from the Public Law text of 29-MAY-2026 · verify · report an error
Official CRS summary

Current. The Congressional Research Service's summary covers the bill's latest wording (Public Law, 28-MAY-2026).

CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Read it on congress.gov
Committee referrals (2) Policy area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Sponsor Brian J. Mast (R-FL) Cosponsors · 36
■ 27 R■ 9 D