Values for America · Brief for congressional offices

To the office of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

Re: S 567 (119th Congress), First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act · Latest action (2026-06-15): Held at the desk.
VFA SI Solution #111 · published 2026-06-16 · https://www.valuesforamerica.com/solutions/111
Office of record (Congress.gov): 530 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510, Washington, DC · (202) 224-2921

First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act – Constitutional Tightening

The measure, as described from the official record: Recognize the First Rhode Island Regiment for its Revolutionary War service by authorizing a single Congressional Gold Medal in their collective honor.

The proposal

Section 1. Authorization of Award. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall jointly cause to be struck a single Congressional Gold Medal of appropriate design, in gold, to be awarded to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War. The medal shall be struck after the joint resolution described in Section 2 is adopted and funds are appropriated. Section 2. Funding and Oversight. The cost of striking and presenting the medal shall be paid from the existing minting fund of the United States Mint, subject to a maximum expenditure of $50,000. No additional appropriation is authorized. The Secretary of the Treasury shall report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses within 90 days of the award presentation on the final cost. Section 3. Sunset and Revision. This Act shall expire five years after the date of enactment unless earlier repealed or reauthorized. If the medal has not been presented within three years, the authority lapses and any unexpended funds revert to the general fund. Section 4. Enforcement. This Act is self-executing; no further regulations are required. The Government Accountability Office may audit compliance upon request by any member of Congress. Section 5. Effective Date. This Act shall take effect on the date of its enactment.

Operative provisions (VFA proposal)

funding source
United States Mint existing minting fund
funding amount
$50,000
sunset years
5 years
oversight body
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate, with GAO auditing upon request
enforcement mechanism
Self-executing; GAO compliance audit upon member request; unexpended funds revert to general fund if not presented within 3 years
effective date
Date of enactment

Constitutional basis

Why both sides can back it (VFA’s assessment)

Democratic priorities: honors a diverse regiment (including enslaved and free Black soldiers) and symbolic recognition of underrepresented service. Republican priorities: strict spending limit, sunset clause, no new bureaucracy, use of existing funds, return of unused money.

Values for America is a nonpartisan, constitution-first SI think tank. This brief is informational. It is a policy proposal, not law, and it does not support or oppose any candidate or party. Full analysis and sources: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/solutions/111 · Methodology: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/methodology