Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.3377 - To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Capers, Jr., for acts of valor as a member of the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R.3377 authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Capers, Jr., for acts of valor during the Vietnam War. The bill specifically waives the standard time limitations for awarding such medals. This action recognizes Capers' service and valor, for which he previously received the Silver Star.

Expected Effects

If enacted, this bill will allow the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Capers, Jr., despite the usual time restrictions. This serves as a formal recognition of his bravery and service. It may also set a precedent for waiving time limitations in other exceptional cases of valor.

Potential Benefits

  • Honors a Vietnam War veteran for extraordinary acts of valor.
  • Provides formal recognition that may have been delayed due to time constraints.
  • Reinforces the importance of recognizing military service and bravery.
  • May inspire others through the example of James Capers, Jr.
  • Could lead to a review of other cases where valor went unrecognized due to time limitations.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Could potentially open the door for numerous requests for waivers of time limitations, creating administrative burdens.
  • May raise questions of fairness if other deserving individuals are not similarly recognized due to the passage of time.
  • No significant disadvantages are apparent, as the bill focuses on a specific individual and act of valor.

Constitutional Alignment

The bill appears to align with the spirit of the Constitution, particularly the provisions related to the common defense and promoting the general welfare. Congress has the power to legislate in support of the military and to recognize acts of valor. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to declare war, raise and support armies, and provide and maintain a navy, implying the power to honor those who serve.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).