Sergeant Rafael Peralta Medal of Honor Authorization Act
To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Rafael Peralta for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and for other purposes.
This bill, HB8973, seeks to honor Sergeant Rafael Peralta by authorizing the President to award him the Medal of Honor. This prestigious recognition is in recognition of his acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The bill was introduced on May 21, 2026, by Representative Darrell Issa (Republican) and co-sponsored by Representative Juan Vargas (Democrat).
If passed, the bill would affect Sergeant Rafael Peralta by posthumously honoring his bravery and service. It would also impact the Department of Defense and the Office of the President, as they would need to facilitate the awarding of the Medal of Honor. The bill was introduced and immediately referred to the House Committee on Armed Services for further review.
As of May 21, 2026, the bill is in its initial stages. It was introduced on the same day and referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. There are no further actions recorded yet.
