Sponsors (2)
The bill formally honors Rafael Peralta and affirms sacrifice and morale for service members and families, trading off only small administrative costs but introducing a precedent of waiving statutory time limits that could complicate future award governance.
Military personnel (including Rafael Peralta and other veterans) receive formal, nation‑level recognition—the award of the nation's highest military decoration—affirming Peralta's valor and reinforcing institutional honor and morale in the Marine Corps and armed forces.
Families and fellow service members receive official acknowledgement that can provide closure, pride, and affirmation of the sacrifice of Peralta and the Marines he saved.
Public acknowledgement of heroism underscores unit sacrifice and helps sustain public trust and respect for military service and awards.
Waiving statutory time limits to permit this award creates a precedent that could encourage future exceptions, increasing administrative and legislative workload and complicating DoD award governance.
Taxpayers bear minor administrative costs to process, present, and administratively support the award and any associated benefits.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Allows the President to award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Rafael Peralta for actions in Fallujah on Nov 15, 2004, despite statutory time limits.
Official title: To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Rafael Peralta for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 21, 2026 by Darrell Issa · Last progress May 21, 2026
Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Rafael Peralta for actions in Fallujah, Iraq on November 15, 2004, waiving statutory time limits that would otherwise bar the award. The bill records Congress’s view that Peralta’s actions demonstrated conspicuous gallantry and affirms that extraordinary heroism should be considered regardless of administrative time limits.