Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, announced the House’s passage, under suspension of the rules, of several bipartisan bills including the “FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act” to foster soccer programs across the U.S., and two Senate bills to award Congressional Gold Medals to the Vietnam War Dustoff crews and Billie Jean King for their heroic and trailblazing contributions. These measures will honor global events and remarkable individuals who have left lasting impacts on society and history.

This is a procedure often used on the House floor to act expeditiously on legislation that is generally non-controversial. Next, these bills will await a vote in the Senate.

S. 2861, the “Billie Jean King Congressional Gold Medal Act” is a bill offered by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), that would award a Congressional Gold Medal to Billie Jean King in recognition of a remarkable life devoted to championing women’s rights in sports and in society. After growing in prominence as a professional tennis player, Billie Jean used her platform to fight for equal rights and opportunities for equality in sports and in society, including playing an instrumental role in the passage of Title IX of the Education Amendment Acts, which mandates equal funding for women’s and men’s sports programs in schools and colleges.

H.R. 7438, the “FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act” is a bill offered by Representative Darin LaHood (R-IL) that would require the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Proceeds from the sale of the coins will be paid to FWC2026 US, Inc. to foster U.S.-based soccer programs and activities, including the promotion of FIFA’s legacy programs in the U.S. and efforts to grow the sport of soccer throughout the U.S.

S. 2825, the “Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act” is a bill offered by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) that would award a Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Army Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War, collectively, in recognition of their extraordinary heroism and life-saving actions in Vietnam. Dustoff crewmen served aboard helicopter air ambulances and performed medical evacuation for almost 900,000 U.S., Vietnamese, and allied forces in Southeast Asia for more than 10 years, from May 1962 through March 1973.

###