Sponsors (23)
Introduced September 19, 2025 by Betty McCollum · Last progress September 19, 2025
The bill ceremonially honors Peace Corps volunteers and clarifies numismatic sale procedures—boosting recognition and public access to commemorative items—while shifting production authority and some financial risk to the Mint/federal funds and providing no new substantive support to returned volunteers.
Peace Corps volunteers and returned Volunteers will receive a formal national honor—a Congressional Gold Medal by Sept 22, 2026—raising public recognition of 65 years of service.
Students, researchers, nonprofits and the public will gain greater awareness and historical access because the medal will be available for public display and research (increasing visibility of volunteer service and potentially encouraging civic engagement).
Collectors, families, and members of the public can purchase bronze duplicate medals so individuals can obtain a memento without increasing long‑term taxpayer funding; proceeds return to the Mint's numismatic fund to support future operations.
Taxpayers and the Treasury will bear direct costs for producing the gold medal and hosting ceremonial activities (manufacturing and award costs), creating a nonzero fiscal outlay.
The U.S. Mint and its numismatic fund face financial risk because the Mint can fund production and draw on its fund immediately; if duplicate‑medal sales underperform, reserves may be reduced or other Mint operations affected.
Collectors and middle‑class buyers may pay premium prices because classifying the medals as numismatic items allows the Treasury/Mint to set prices above production cost.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Awards one Congressional Gold Medal to honor Peace Corps Volunteers (1961–2026), directs minting of a gold medal, authorizes sale of bronze duplicates, and sets fund handling rules.
Awards a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor Peace Corps Volunteers who served between August 28, 1961 and December 31, 2026, directs the U.S. Mint to strike the gold medal and allows bronze duplicates to be made and sold. The gold medal is to be presented to the Director of the Peace Corps for public display at Peace Corps headquarters, and proceeds from duplicate bronze sales are to be deposited into the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund. Authorizes the Mint to use its Public Enterprise Fund to cover medal costs and defines medals struck under the Act as national medals and numismatic items for legal and accounting purposes. The measure is primarily ceremonial and administrative, establishing design, production, custody, and financial handling rules for the medal and its duplicates.