This Act posthumously awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the late Representative Charles B. Rangel to honor his distinguished military service and decades of legislative accomplishments benefiting veterans, low-income families, and international relations.
Adriano Espaillat
Representative
NY-13
This bill, the Charles B. Rangel Congressional Gold Medal Act, posthumously awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the late Representative Charles B. Rangel. It recognizes his distinguished military service and decades of legislative achievement in Congress, particularly concerning tax reform, veterans' affairs, and international trade. The Secretary of the Treasury is directed to strike the medal, which will ultimately be presented to his children. The Act also authorizes the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.
Congressional Gold Medal Bill Honors Decorated Korean War Vet and Longtime Policy Architect Charles B. Rangel
This bill, officially titled the Charles B. Rangel Congressional Gold Medal Act, is pretty straightforward: it’s Congress’s way of formally recognizing a major figure in American politics and military history. Specifically, the legislation authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal for Charles B. Rangel, who served in the House of Representatives for over four decades, representing Harlem, New York.
The Reason for the Honor: A Lifetime of Policy and Service
Unlike many bills that change laws, this one is entirely focused on recognition. The bulk of the legislation is actually a detailed tribute to Rangel’s life, which is helpful for understanding the weight of this award. It highlights his service as a decorated Staff Sergeant in the Korean War, where he earned a Bronze Star with Valor and a Purple Heart for leading 40 men to safety after being wounded. This military background, combined with his later work as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and his long tenure in Congress, forms the foundation for the honor.
In policy terms, the bill points to Rangel’s critical role in shaping major legislation that still affects us today. Think about things like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA)—the bill credits him with being instrumental in developing or passing these measures. For the average person, this means the bill is recognizing the architect behind tax breaks and healthcare access that millions rely on every year. It’s a nod to a career spent focusing on economic and social programs for vulnerable populations, including veterans, which is a theme that runs throughout the findings section.
Where the Medal Goes and How the Public Gets Involved
Once the medal is struck—a task assigned to the Secretary of the Treasury—it won’t end up in a museum right away. The bill specifies that the original Gold Medal will be presented to his children, Steven Rangel and Alicia Rangel, after the official ceremony. This is a clear, personal provision ensuring the family receives the honor.
For those who appreciate history or collect national memorabilia, the bill includes a provision for duplicate medals. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to create and sell bronze copies of the medal to the public. Critically, this isn’t a taxpayer giveaway; the bill mandates that the price of these bronze duplicates must be set high enough to cover all costs of production, including labor, materials, and overhead. All money generated from these sales goes right back into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, essentially making the public sale self-sustaining. This common mechanism ensures the honor can be widely shared without dipping into general funds for the duplicates.