HR6959-119

What This Bill Does

The Nick Shirley Congressional Gold Medal Act is a congressional-honors bill. Congress makes findings about Nick Shirley's December 26, 2025 investigative post on X, claims he uncovered more than $110 million in alleged fraud in Minnesota, and states that federal funding to fraudulent businesses was halted. A sense of Congress says Shirley showed bravery, integrity, and dedication to constitutional principles while uncovering fraud, waste, and abuse under Governor Tim Walz. The bill directs the Speaker of the House and Senate President pro tempore to arrange presentation of a gold medal to Shirley, and directs the Treasury Secretary to strike a medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions. Treasury may strike and sell bronze duplicates at a price covering labor, material, dies, machinery, and overhead. The medals are treated as national medals and numismatic items. Costs are charged to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, and duplicate bronze sale proceeds are deposited back into that fund.

Who Benefits and How

Nick Shirley benefits from congressional recognition and the prestige of a Congressional Gold Medal. Taxpayer watchdog audiences benefit because the bill highlights alleged fraud, waste, and abuse as a public accountability issue. United States Mint collectors benefit from the ability to buy bronze duplicate medals. The Mint benefits if duplicate sales reimburse labor, materials, machinery, and overhead costs.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Treasury and United States Mint staff must design, strike, price, and sell medals, then administer deposits into the Public Enterprise Fund. Congressional leadership offices must arrange the presentation. The United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund bears upfront costs until duplicate sale proceeds are collected. Federal taxpayers may bear residual costs if sales do not cover all medal expenses.

Key Provisions

• Recognizes Nick Shirley with a Congressional Gold Medal for investigative journalism.
• Directs congressional leadership to arrange the medal presentation.
• Requires the Treasury Secretary to strike a gold medal with suitable design features.
• Authorizes Treasury to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals at cost-covering prices.
• Provides national medal and numismatic-item status and directs sale proceeds back to the Mint fund.