Members of Congress have reintroduced pieces of legislation which would recognize those who served in the WWII Merchant Marine.
Rep. Al Green (TX) reintroduced H.R. 154 (same bill number as in the 115th Congress) which would, if enacted, provide a one-time payment of $25,000 to eligible WWII Merchant Mariners. As with the last several sessions of Congress, this “compensation” bill lacks a Senate sponsor. However, Rep. Green was able to kickstart the legislation by adding a quick 17 co-sponsors.
The WWII Merchant Mariner Congressional Gold Medal Act has also been reintroduced by repeat sponsors Rep. John Garamendi (CA) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK). The new bills (H.R. 550 and S. 133 respectively), if enacted, would award a Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the United States Merchant Mariners of World War II in recognition of their dedicated and vital service during World War II.
The final sponsorship tallies in the 115th Congress for the WWII Merchant Mariner Gold Medal legislation were 222 co-sponsors for the House bill (H.R. 5879) and 30 for the Senate bill (2127). Back in the 114th Congress, identical legislation passed the House but failed in the Senate.
The Transportation Institute has created an application which sends a quick pre-written email to one’s representatives based on inputted zip code. CLICK HERE to engage Congress with an email requesting support of the WWII Merchant Mariner Congressional Gold Medal Act.
