Living American Hero Appreciation Act

H.R. 2561, the Living American Hero Appreciation Act, would increase the monthly special pension for Medal of Honor recipients from $600 to $1,000 and mandate annual cost-of-living adjustments to keep pace with inflation. The bill also provides retroactive lump-sum payments to current recipients and establishes criminal penalties for the unauthorized possession, purchase, or fraudulent claim of holding the Medal of Honor. If enacted, this legislation would provide greater financial security for the nation’s highest-decorated veterans while strengthening legal protections against the unauthorized use of the award.