H.R. 429

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 429 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 429

To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration 
of the women who contributed to the Home Front during World War II, and 
for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 15, 2025

Mr. Garamendi (for himself, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. 
Huffman, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Ciscomani, Ms. Davids of Kansas, 
Ms. DelBene, Ms. Brownley, Mrs. Radewagen, Mr. Rulli, Mr. Peters, Mr. 
Amo, Mr. Torres of New York, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mrs. Watson 
Coleman, Mr. Keating, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Beyer, Ms. Dean of 
Pennsylvania, Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Ms. Velazquez, Mr. Neal, Ms. 
Norton, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Sanchez, Ms. McClellan, Ms. Tlaib, Ms. Titus, 
Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Mr. Swalwell, 
Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania, Mr. Foster, Mr. Veasey, Mr. Bacon, Mrs. 
Cherfilus-McCormick, Mr. Carson, Mr. Quigley, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, 
Mr. Amodei of Nevada, Mr. Casten, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Costa, Mrs. 
Beatty, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Frost, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Ms. Budzinski, 
Ms. Barragan, Mrs. Trahan, Ms. Kaptur, Ms. Sherrill, Mr. Connolly, Ms. 
Sewell, Mr. Panetta, Ms. Scanlon, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Pingree, 
Mr. Khanna, Mrs. Foushee, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Stauber, Mr. 
Crawford, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Takano, Mr. Kiley of California, Mr. Cuellar, 
Ms. Scholten, Mrs. Torres of California, Mr. Gomez, Mr. Casar, Ms. 
Stansbury, Ms. Salinas, Mr. Kennedy of New York, Ms. Matsui, Mr. 
Bishop, Mr. Van Orden, Ms. Ross, Mr. Deluzio, Mr. Doggett, Ms. Stevens, 
Ms. Houlahan, and Mrs. Hayes) introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Financial Services

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration 
of the women who contributed to the Home Front during World War II, and 
for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin 
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds the following:
(1) During World War II, more than six million American 
women entered the workforce to fill the vacancies left by men 
who had joined the Armed Forces and support the Home Front. 
Millions of women already working outside the home shifted to 
employment in critical industries to support the war effort.
(2) Women went to work or volunteer full-time in factories, 
farms, shipyards, banks, and other institutions in support of 
the U.S. military overseas. They worked with the United Service 
Organizations and the American Red Cross, drove street cars, 
riveted airplane parts, collected critical materials, rolled 
bandages, and served on rationing boards.
(3) This women workforce met not only the ever-growing 
demands for war materials, including equipment, weaponry, 
ammunition, and military rations, but also the demand for 
support services in schools, hospitals, and offices.
(4) Collectively, the American women who held employment or 
volunteered in support of the war effort during World War II 
have been represented by the iconic image of ``Rosie the 
Riveter''.
(5) As riveters, welders, and other laborers, a diverse 
women workforce played an integral part in shipyards, aircraft 
factories, and other areas of the defense industrial base.
(6) Women in the workforce faced the ``double burden'' of 
responsibilities on the job and at home as the primary 
caregivers and wage earners during World War II.
(7) ``Rosies'' persevered often in the face of harassment, 
discrimination, and prejudice to support their country and 
families in a time of great need. Despite equal pay 
regulations, women were regularly paid 10 to 15 cents an hour 
lower than their male counterparts even during wartime.
(8) Black, Latina, Indigenous, Asian American, and Pacific 
Islander ``Rosies'' were subjected to racist discrimination, 
violence, and harassment at work, at home, and in public. Women 
of color overcame long-held policies of discrimination and 
racial segregation to make significant contributions to the war 
effort and labor market.
(9) Our ``Rosies'' are a testament to women's empowerment 
and the invaluable contribution of women to the American war 
effort during World War II, inspiring future generations of 
women and girls.
(10) Americans have chosen to honor the women who 
contributed to the Home Front during World War II, including 
through the award of a Congressional Gold Medal and the annual 
celebration of National Rosie the Riveter Day on March 21.
(11) The work, sacrifice, and dedication of our ``Rosies'' 
are worthy of national reflection and commemoration.
(12) It is fitting and proper to recognize and preserve the 
history and legacy of American women who contributed to the 
Home Front during World War II for their patriotic commitment 
to their country and perseverance in the face of adversity.

SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

(a) Denominations.--In recognition and celebration of the American 
women who contributed to the Home Front during World War II, the 
Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the 
``Secretary'') shall mint and issue the following coins:
(1) $5 gold coins.--Not more than 50,000 $5 coins, which 
shall--
(A) weigh 8.359 grams;
(B) have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and
(C) contain not less than 90 percent gold.
(2) $1 silver coins.--Not more than 400,000 $1 coins, which 
shall--
(A) weigh 26.73 grams;
(B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
(C) contain not less than 90 percent silver.
(3) Half-dollar clad coins.--Not more than 750,000 half-
dollar coins which shall--
(A) weigh 11.34 grams;
(B) have a diameter of 1.205 inches; and
(C) be minted to the specifications for half-dollar 
coins contained in section 5112(b) of title 31, United 
States Code.
(b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be legal 
tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code.
(c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of 
title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this Act shall be 
considered to be numismatic items.

SEC. 4. DESIGNS OF COINS.

(a) Design Requirements.--
(1) In general.--The designs of the coins minted under this 
Act shall be emblematic of the legacy of the diverse women 
workforce who contributed to the Home Front during World War 
II.
(2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
under this Act there shall be--
(A) a designation of the value of the coin;
(B) an inscription of the year ``2028''; and
(C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God 
We Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E 
Pluribus Unum''.
(b) Selection.--The designs of the coins minted under this Act 
shall be--
(1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
Rosie the Riveter Trust and the Commission of Fine Arts; and
(2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

(a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be issued 
in uncirculated and proof qualities.
(b) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins minted 
under this Act only during the 1-year period beginning on January 1, 
2028.

SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.

(a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be sold by 
the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
(1) the face value of the coins;
(2) the surcharge provided in section 7(a) with respect to 
such coins; and
(3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including 
labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, 
marketing, and shipping).
(b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the coins 
issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
(c) Prepaid Orders.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders 
for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of such 
coins.
(2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders 
under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.

SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.

(a) In General.--All sales of coins minted under this Act shall 
include--
(1) a surcharge of $35 per coin for the $5 coins;
(2) a surcharge of $10 per coin for the $1 coins; and
(3) a surcharge of $5 per coin for the half-dollar coins.
(b) Distribution.--Subject to section 5134(f) of title 31, United 
States Code, all surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of 
coins issued under this Act shall be promptly paid by the Secretary to 
the Rosie the Riveter Trust to support the National Park Service in 
maintaining and repairing the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front 
National Historical Park, and for educational and commemorative 
programs.
(c) Audits.--The Rosie the Riveter Trust shall be subject to the 
audit requirements of section 5134(f)(2) of title 31, United States 
Code, with regard to the amounts received under subsection (b).
(d) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), no surcharge may 
be included with respect to the issuance under this Act of any coin 
during a calendar year if, as of the time of such issuance, the 
issuance of such coin would result in the number of commemorative coin 
programs issued during such year to exceed the annual 2 commemorative 
coin program issuance limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31, 
United States Code (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this 
Act). The Secretary of the Treasury may issue guidance to carry out 
this subsection.

SEC. 8. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES.

The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure 
that--
(1) minting and issuing coins under this Act will not 
result in any net cost to the United States Government; and
(2) no funds, including applicable surcharges, shall be 
disbursed to any recipient designated in section 7 until the 
total cost of designing and issuing all of the coins authorized 
by this Act (including labor, materials, dies, use of 
machinery, winning design compensation, overhead expenses, 
marketing, and shipping) is recovered by the United States 
Treasury, consistent with sections 5112(m) and 5134(f) of title 
31, United States Code.
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