Sponsors (7)
The bill provides formal national recognition and greater public access to the history of African Americans’ Civil War service while remaining largely symbolic and relying on Mint-managed sales to avoid new appropriations, which minimizes taxpayer outlays but creates modest administrative burdens and financial risk for Mint funds.
All Americans — especially students, educators, and researchers — gain a fuller, better-documented public record of African Americans’ military service and contributions because Congress formally recognizes their service and the medal will be placed in the Smithsonian for display and research.
African Americans who served with Union forces and their descendants receive national recognition through a Congressional Gold Medal, formally honoring bravery and service.
Collectors, community members, and the public gain access to affordable commemorative bronze duplicates, with sales designed to recover production costs and be handled through the Mint’s funds so taxpayer appropriations aren’t required.
Descendants and communities receive little or no direct material help because the bill is primarily symbolic and does not provide funding, services, or legal benefits.
Using the U.S. Mint’s Public Enterprise Fund to cover production risks reducing funds available for other Mint projects or shifting costs to other Mint activities if sales of duplicates fall short.
Minor administrative costs and staff time will be required across congressional offices, the Treasury, the Smithsonian, the Secretary’s office, and the Mint to arrange, produce, display, and sell medals, which could divert attention from other duties.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Creates a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal honoring African Americans who served with Union forces in the Civil War, directs Mint production, gifts the gold medal to the Smithsonian, and permits sale of bronze duplicates to offset costs.
Introduced February 6, 2025 by Eleanor Holmes Norton · Last progress February 6, 2025
Authorizes Congress to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal recognizing the service and bravery of African Americans who served with Union forces in the Civil War, directs the Treasury to strike the medal and transfer the gold piece to the Smithsonian for display, and permits the Mint to produce and sell bronze duplicates to cover costs. The bill designates these medals as national numismatic items and allows the Mint to charge production costs to its Public Enterprise Fund, with proceeds from duplicate sales returned to that Fund.