October 7 Gold Medal Act

This bill, titled the October 7 Gold Medal Act, would authorize a Congressional Gold Medal to be presented collectively to the American hostages and victims of the October 7, 2023 attacks. It directs the Speaker of the House and the Senate’s President pro tempore to arrange the presentation on behalf of Congress, with the Secretary of the Treasury responsible for striking the gold medal and determining its design. The medal would be displayed at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. The bill also allows the mint to strike and sell bronze duplicates to cover costs, and it classifies the medals as national medals and numismatic items. Funding for the medal production would come from the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund, and proceeds from bronze duplicate sales would be deposited back into that fund. The bill sets out background findings praising the bravery of hostages, victims, and those who aided others, and notes the status of American hostages as of the date of the finding. It frames the medal as a national expression of appreciation for the suffering and sacrifice of those affected.