S.1915 - Remove the Stain Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1915, the "Remove the Stain Act," seeks to rescind Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers for actions during the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890. The bill cites findings that the massacre resulted in the deaths of approximately 350-375 Native American men, women, and children and that awarding medals for participation in the massacre is a disservice to the integrity of the United States. The bill directs the Secretary concerned to remove the names of those individuals from the Medal of Honor Roll but does not require the return of the medals and does not deny any individual any benefit from the Federal Government.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the bill would formally rescind the Medals of Honor awarded for actions at Wounded Knee. This would serve as a symbolic act of acknowledging the injustice and harm inflicted upon the Native American community. It would also potentially impact how the historical event is perceived and remembered.
Potential Benefits
- Symbolic acknowledgement of historical injustice towards Native Americans.
- Potential for improved relations with Native American tribes.
- Reinforces the integrity and prestige of the Medal of Honor by disassociating it from actions deemed morally reprehensible.
- Aligns the nation's values with a more accurate and compassionate understanding of history.
- May promote healing and reconciliation between communities.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for alienating descendants of the soldiers who received the Medals of Honor.
- Risk of setting a precedent for re-evaluating historical military actions and awards, leading to further controversy.
- May be viewed by some as an attempt to rewrite history or impose contemporary values on past events.
- Could open the door for other groups to demand similar actions regarding historical injustices.
- Potential for exacerbating existing political and cultural divisions.
Constitutional Alignment
While the Constitution does not explicitly address the rescission of Medals of Honor, Congress's power to legislate on matters related to the armed forces is well-established (Article I, Section 8). The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights. The power to create and award such honors implies the power to rescind them under appropriate circumstances. The bill's findings also align with principles of justice and equality, arguably promoting a "more perfect Union" as stated in the Preamble.
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).