The bill
Major Thomas D. Howie Congressional Gold Medal
HR. 5934, 119th Congress.
Sponsored by
Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3]
ID: B001325
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 5934, 119th Congress.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
20 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Invalid Date
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
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.
Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No organization contributions found
No committee contributions found
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 33 nodes and 20 connections (42 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $83,250
Showing top 18 donors by contribution amount