U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement after President Donald Trump signed the House version of his Monetary Enhancement for Distinguished Active Legends (MEDAL) Act into law. The new legislation raises the annual pension for living Medal of Honor recipients to $67,500. The bill passed both chambers of Congress unanimously.
Senator Cruz stated, “The Medal of Honor is our nation’s highest military honor, reserved only for those who have distinguished themselves through acts of valor that go above and beyond the call of duty. While we will never be able to repay the debt we owe to the men and women whose actions earned them this medal, we can continue to honor them by ensuring they are cared for, respected, and supported. I’m deeply thankful to President Trump for signing the MEDAL Act into law.”
The legislation was introduced in the House by Representative Troy Nehls (R-Texas-22). Representative Nehls commented, “Medal of Honor recipients embody the best of our nation. They never ask for special recognition or demand special treatment. Many of them spend most of their time traveling our country, telling their stories, inspiring the next generation of America’s heroes. My bill, H.R. 695, the Medal of Honor Act, eases the financial burden of our nation’s highest decorated Veterans by increasing their special pension—ensuring they know America is grateful for all they’ve done to serve our country and defend our freedoms. After five years of fighting for this bill to become law, I thank Senator Ted Cruz for pushing my bill through the Senate, and I’m beyond grateful to President Trump for making my legislation the law of the land.”
There are currently 61 living Medal of Honor recipients in the United States. Many are not retired from military service and do not receive compensation when participating in public events where they share stories intended to inspire Americans and support military recruitment efforts.
In November, Senator Cruz spoke on the Senate floor urging passage of this act and recognized nine Medal of Honor recipients residing in Texas as well as Lieutenant Colonel William Swenson and Colonel Paris Davis who attended his speech.
Senator Cruz has a history in Texas politics; he won reelection campaigns against Colin Allred in 2024 with 53.1% percent of votes, Beto O'Rourke in 2018 with 50.9%, and Paul Sadler in 2012 with 56.5%.
