Sponsors (15)
The bill formally honors and preserves the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion and allows public purchase of commemorative medals—strengthening historical recognition and public access—while creating modest administrative and financial risks to the Mint and taxpayers if production/sales do not cover costs.
Veterans, especially African‑American WWII veterans (and their families), gain formal congressional recognition of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion that raises public awareness of their valor and promotes more inclusive historical recognition.
Museums, researchers, students, and the public benefit because the medal is transferred to the Smithsonian for display and research, preserving the historical record (e.g., Corporal Waverly B. Woodson Jr.'s actions) and improving public access to that history.
Collectors, families, and members of the public can purchase officially authorized duplicate bronze medals—treating them as numismatic items increases perceived legitimacy and enables lawful sale and distribution under U.S. Mint authorities.
Taxpayers could ultimately bear net costs if sales of duplicate medals are lower than expected and the Mint/Public Enterprise Fund covers production or administrative shortfalls.
Requiring the Public Enterprise Fund to cover production costs may divert funds from other Mint programs or services financed by that Fund, affecting Mint operations and employees.
There are small but real production and administrative expenses (striking, presenting, managing sales) that create government costs without new programmatic benefits and could divert limited staff time or resources.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Creates a Congressional Gold Medal honoring the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, gives the gold medal to the Smithsonian, and allows sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs.
Introduced July 22, 2025 by Marc Veasey · Last progress July 22, 2025
Authorizes Congress to present a single Congressional Gold Medal honoring the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion for its service and heroism at the D‑Day invasion and in World War II, directs the medal to be struck with appropriate emblems and inscriptions, and transfers the gold medal to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. The bill also permits the U.S. Mint to produce and sell bronze duplicates (priced to cover production costs), treats the medals as national numismatic items, and allows Mint costs and proceeds to be handled through the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.