H.R. 8973

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8973 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8973

To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant 
Rafael Peralta for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and 
for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 21, 2026

Mr. Issa (for himself and Mr. Vargas) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant 
Rafael Peralta for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom, 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 ``Sergeant Rafael Peralta Medal of 
Honor Authorization Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) On November 15, 2004, during combat operations in 
Fallujah, Iraq, Sergeant Rafael Peralta, United States Marine 
Corps, served as a squad leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 
3rd Marines, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
(2) During a house-clearing operation in the Second Battle 
of Fallujah, Sergeant Peralta was mortally wounded by enemy 
gunfire while leading Marines engaged in close-quarters combat 
against insurgent forces.
(3) Moments after being mortally wounded, an enemy grenade 
landed in the room occupied by Sergeant Peralta and fellow 
Marines.
(4) Multiple eyewitness Marines reported that Sergeant 
Peralta consciously and intentionally pulled the grenade 
beneath his body, absorbing the blast and shielding nearby 
Marines from death or serious bodily harm.
(5) The actions of Sergeant Peralta reflected conspicuous 
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and 
beyond the call of duty, in keeping with the highest traditions 
of the United States Marine Corps and the Armed Forces of the 
United States.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Sergeant Rafael Peralta's actions on November 15, 2004, 
exemplify the highest ideals of duty, courage, and sacrifice;
(2) Marines whose lives were saved by the actions of 
Sergeant Peralta continue to bear witness to his valor and 
selflessness; and
(3) the United States owes a solemn obligation to ensure 
that acts of extraordinary heroism receive full and fair 
consideration for the Medal of Honor regardless of 
administrative delay or statutory limitation.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARD OF MEDAL OF HONOR TO SERGEANT RAFAEL 
PERALTA.

(a) Authorization.--Notwithstanding the time limitations specified 
in sections 8298(a) and 8300 of title 10, United States Code, or any 
other time limitation with respect to the awarding of certain medals to 
persons who served in the Armed Forces, the President is authorized to 
award the Medal of Honor, under section 8291 of such title, to Rafael 
Peralta for the acts of valor described in subsection (b).
(b) Acts of Valor Described.-- The acts of valor described in this 
subsection are the actions of Rafael Peralta as a member of the Marine 
Corps in Fallujah, Iraq, on November 15, 2004.
<all>