Sponsors (50)
The bill publicly honors the First Rhode Island Regiment and improves public access to a commemorative medal while aiming to limit taxpayer impact by using Mint funds and sales, but it remains nonbinding and carries modest administrative and financial risks plus potential affordability limits for some members of the public.
Black and Indigenous veterans, their descendants, students, and the general public: formal Congressional recognition (findings and a Congressional Gold Medal) raises public awareness, preserves the Regiment's legacy, and supports inclusion of this history in education and curricula.
Taxpayers and federal budget managers: production and sale of the medals are intended to be financed through the U.S. Mint's Public Enterprise Fund and replica sales (not new general-appropriations), reducing immediate pressure on taxpayer-funded budgets.
Collectors, the public, and researchers: the gold medal will be placed for display and research at the Rhode Island State Library and affordable bronze replicas will be made available for purchase, increasing public access to the commemorative item.
Veterans, descendants, and the public: the bill's findings and 'sense of Congress' are nonbinding statements that do not provide legal remedies, financial compensation, or enforceable benefits to veterans or descendants.
Taxpayers and Mint stakeholders: although designed to be self-funded, the Mint and its Public Enterprise Fund may incur administrative expenses, absorb net losses if sales are poor, or reallocate fund balance away from other Mint projects—shifting financial risk onto taxpayers or delaying other programs.
Federal and state institutions: implementing, pricing, producing, selling, and exhibiting the medals creates modest administrative and curatorial burdens on the U.S. Mint, the Secretary, and the Rhode Island State Library that require staff time and resources.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal for the First Rhode Island Regiment, requires the Mint to strike it and deliver it to the Rhode Island State Library, and allows sale of bronze duplicates at cost.
Introduced February 13, 2025 by Gabe Amo · Last progress February 13, 2025
Authorizes Congress to award a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment in recognition of its Revolutionary War service, directs the Treasury (through the U.S. Mint) to strike the gold medal and to provide it to the Rhode Island State Library for display and research access, and permits the Mint to produce and sell bronze duplicate medals at prices that recoup production costs. The bill also designates these medals as national/numismatic items under federal law and allows the Mint to charge its Public Enterprise Fund for striking costs while depositing proceeds from duplicate sales back into that Fund. Also included are historical findings describing the Regiment’s enlistment of African and Indigenous descent soldiers, battlefield service (including the Battle of Rhode Island), postwar struggles of veterans, and a roster of named soldiers; and a non-binding statement that the State Library should consider lending the medal to other locations associated with the Regiment for display.