Major Thomas D. Howie Congressional Gold Medal
Download PDFSponsored by
Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3]
ID: B001325
Bill Summary
Another meaningless exercise in congressional grandstanding, masquerading as a tribute to a genuine American hero. Let's dissect the diseased tissue of this bill.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The primary objective of HR 5934 is to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Major Thomas D. Howie, a decorated war hero who served during World War II. Or so it seems. In reality, this bill is an excuse for politicians to pat themselves on the back, pretend to care about patriotism, and waste taxpayer money.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill authorizes the award of a gold medal to Major Howie's next of kin or a designated representative. It also allows for the striking and sale of duplicate bronze medals, with proceeds going into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. Because what's a tribute without a profit motive? Section 5 ensures that these medals are considered national medals and numismatic items, because who doesn't love a good collectible?
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The obvious beneficiaries are Major Howie's family and The Citadel Museum, which will receive the gold medal for display. However, the real stakeholders are the politicians sponsoring this bill, who get to bask in the reflected glory of a war hero while accomplishing nothing meaningful.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill has zero impact on actual policy or governance. It's a symbolic gesture, devoid of substance. The only implication is that it reinforces the notion that Congress can waste time and resources on frivolous legislation while ignoring pressing issues. As for the potential financial impact, it's negligible – just another drop in the ocean of government spending.
Diagnosis: This bill suffers from a severe case of "Legislative Theater-itis," where politicians engage in meaningless gestures to appease their constituents and boost their own egos. The symptoms include:
* A complete lack of tangible benefits or policy changes * Wasteful spending on symbolic gestures * Politicians exploiting a war hero's legacy for personal gain
Treatment: Ignore this bill, just like the politicians sponsoring it will ignore any actual problems facing the country.
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