HR3609-119

What This Bill Does

The Remove the Stain Act responds to the Wounded Knee Massacre by using Congress's authority over the Medal of Honor Roll. The findings describe the Medal of Honor as the Nation's highest military award, recount that approximately 350 to 375 Lakota men, women, and children were killed or injured at Wounded Knee Creek, note that nearly two-thirds of Native Americans killed were unarmed women and children, and cite Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and National Congress of American Indians resolutions seeking revocation or renunciation of the awards. The operative section rescinds each Medal of Honor awarded for acts at Wounded Knee Creek on December 29, 1890, requires the relevant military secretary to remove each recipient's name from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard Medal of Honor Roll, does not require a physical medal to be returned, and states that no individual is denied any federal benefit.

Who Benefits and How

Lakota descendants and Wounded Knee survivors' families benefit from a formal congressional correction of military honors tied to the massacre. Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe benefits because the bill responds to the Tribe's request to revoke medals connected to Wounded Knee. Native American advocacy organizations benefit from statutory recognition that the awards undermine the integrity of the Medal of Honor. Medal of Honor integrity advocates benefit because the bill distinguishes massacre participation from gallantry beyond the call of duty.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Military department secretaries must remove names from the Medal of Honor Roll. Families of the rescinded medal recipients may face symbolic and reputational consequences, even though benefits are preserved. Defense personnel record offices must update official medal-roll records. Congressional veterans committees must defend the historical accountability judgment embodied in the rescission.

Key Provisions

• Rescinds each Medal of Honor awarded for acts at Wounded Knee Creek on December 29, 1890.
• Requires military secretaries to remove the names from the Medal of Honor Roll.
• Preserves federal benefits and does not require physical medals to be returned.
• Recognizes tribal and Native advocacy objections to honoring massacre participation.
• Protects the integrity of the Medal of Honor by separating gallantry from the Wounded Knee massacre.