119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 9627
This bill would award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Hmong people in recognition of their military service during the Vietnam War and their fight against communism. Over 30,000 Hmong men served in combat operations, gathered intelligence, and rescued American pilots, suffering casualty rates ten times higher than American soldiers. Following the war, more than 150,000 Hmong fled Laos as refugees when it fell to communist forces in 1975, and today over 327,000 Hmong live in the United States, primarily in California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. After presentation by congressional leaders, the gold medal would be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and potentially at other locations associated with Hmong military service. The Treasury Secretary would design and strike the medal, and could also produce and sell bronze duplicate medals to cover production costs.