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The House unanimously passed H.R. 186 to designate a location for a national monument honoring Medal of Honor recipients. The bill honors the legacy of Hershel "Woody" Williams.
H.R. 186, known as the Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act, seeks to establish a specific site in Washington, D.C., for a national monument. The memorial is intended to honor the recipients of the Medal of Honor, the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military. The bill is named after the late Hershel "Woody" Williams, who was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. This vote was held under a procedure called "suspension of the rules." This is a fast-track method Congress uses for bills that have broad, bipartisan support and are not considered controversial. Because this method skips some of the usual debating steps, the bill must earn a two-thirds supermajority of the votes cast to pass, rather than just a simple majority. The bill passed with unanimous support, receiving 414 votes in favor and none against. This total agreement indicates the high level of respect for the Medal of Honor and the veterans it represents. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it must also be passed before it can be sent to the President to become law.
The bill will now be sent to the Senate for further consideration and a possible vote.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. Establishing a national monument in the capital is a significant act of remembrance that formally honors the nation's most decorated military heroes.
Who’s affected. Veterans and Military Families: Provides a dedicated site for recognition and reflection on military valor. · Visitors to Washington, D.C.: Adds a new historical and educational site to the National Mall area.
Democrats. The Democratic caucus voted unanimously to support the monument's location.
Republicans. The Republican caucus voted unanimously to support the monument's location.
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Jan 21, 2025
The House unanimously passed H.R.
186 to designate a location for a national monument honoring Medal of Honor recipients. The bill honors the legacy of Hershel "Woody" Williams.
This was a vote to 'suspend the rules' and pass the bill, a shortcut used for non-controversial legislation. This procedure requires a two-thirds supermajority to pass because it bypasses the standard, more lengthy amendment and debate process.
The bill will now be sent to the Senate for further consideration and a possible vote.
Establishing a national monument in the capital is a significant act of remembrance that formally honors the nation's most decorated military heroes.
The vote was entirely unanimous among all participating members of both parties.
The Democratic caucus voted unanimously to support the monument's location.
The Republican caucus voted unanimously to support the monument's location.
The single independent member present voted in favor of the bill.