Sponsors (48)
The bill provides a formal national honor for James Earl Jones and allows collectors to buy official duplicates while largely shifting costs to the Mint and buyers — reducing direct appropriations impact but creating modest administrative burdens, potential program trade-offs, and some residual taxpayer exposure if sales fall short.
James Earl Jones and his family will receive national recognition: Congress awards him the Congressional Gold Medal and provides a physical medal his family can preserve as a formal, lasting tribute.
Medal production is structured so costs are covered by the Mint's programs and duplicate sales, reducing pressure on annual appropriations and minimizing direct taxpayer subsidy for the commemorative medals.
Collectors and members of the public can buy bronze duplicate medals through the Mint's numismatic programs, supporting hobbyist markets and allowing private ownership of officially recognized commemoratives.
This is a ceremonial honor with no policy, service, or lasting public benefit beyond recognition, yet it requires government resources to produce the medal.
Managing production, pricing, accounting, and sales creates administrative burdens for the Secretary and the Mint and could shift Mint program priorities or staff resources.
If sales of duplicate medals fall short of projections, the Mint — and indirectly taxpayers — could still incur net costs for producing the medals.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal for James Earl Jones, directs the Mint to strike the medal, allows sale of bronze duplicates at cost, and handles Mint accounting through its Public Enterprise Fund.
Official title: To award posthumously a congressional gold medal to James Earl Jones, an American icon, in recognition of a remarkable life in reshaping perceptions, dismantling racial barriers, and advocating for equal opportunities for people of all backgrounds in film and theatre.
Introduced March 6, 2025 by Michael Lawler · Last progress March 6, 2025
Creates and awards a Congressional Gold Medal honoring actor James Earl Jones for his lifetime contributions to the performing arts and promoting inclusion. Directs the U.S. Mint to strike a gold medal bearing his image and name, authorizes sale of bronze duplicates at cost recovery, designates the medals as national numismatic items, and directs proceeds and production costs to be handled through the Mint’s Public Enterprise Fund; the gold medal is to be presented on behalf of Congress and delivered to his son, Flynn Earl Jones.