S 858 United States Senate · 119th Congress

Hershel ‘Woody' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act

This bill directs the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to place a monument honoring Medal of Honor recipients on federal land near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., overriding standard location rules. It specifically requires the monument to be located within the National Mall's "Reserve" area adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial, as defined in federal law. The bill affects the museum foundation's construction plans and the public's access to this new memorial site. It does not change how the Medal of Honor is awarded, only the physical location of its commemorative monument.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics: Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Aug 2026

President

Introduced Mar 5, 2025 Last action Sep 2, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed in Senate → Enrolled Bill · 3 edits

MINOR

This is a procedural transition from the Senate-engrossed version to the enrolled bill format of S 858. The substantive policy content (the short title and monument location provisions) is unchanged. The changes consist of adding a purpose statement, formal congressional session language, GPO metadata, and signature blocks required for an enrolled act ready for presidential signature.

TECHNICAL

A purpose statement was added at the top: 'To authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on the National Mall to honor the extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients.' This is standard for enrolled bills.

Formal enrolled bill formatting was added, including the 119th Congress session header, 'Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives' language, and signature lines for the Speaker and Vice President.

The existing Section 1 (short title) and Section 2 (monument location within the Reserve, with Commemorative Works Act applicability) were re-formatted into the enrolled act structure but their legal content is identical to the prior version.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Aug 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5264)

lower

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S1605)

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.

upper

Dec 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

upper

Dec 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-238.

upper

Mar 5, 2025

Committee

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

upper

Mar 5, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

1 primary · 13 co-sponsors