Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act

House Bill

H.R. 485

119th Congress

Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 16, 2025

Primary Sponsor

André Carson

D - IN

Cosponsors

81

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Sports and Recreation

Summary

This bill provides for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali, recognizing his achievements as a three-time heavyweight boxing champion and his cultural impact as a civil rights activist and humanitarian. Medal costs will be paid from the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund, with proceeds from duplicate bronze medal sales returned to that fund.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill provides for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali, recognizing his achievements as a three-time heavyweight boxing champion and his cultural impact as a civil rights activist and humanitarian. Medal costs will be paid from the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund, with proceeds from duplicate bronze medal sales returned to that fund.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali. There is authorized to be charged against the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck under this bill. Sums received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized by this bill shall be deposited into that fund.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Awards Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to Muhammad Ali
Recognizes boxing achievements and cultural impact
Medal costs from U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund
Authorizes sale of duplicate bronze medals
Highest civilian honor awarded by Congress

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

The Congressional Gold Medal is among the highest civilian honors Congress can bestow. Muhammad Alis recognition acknowledges not only his athletic greatness but his stands on civil rights, religious freedom, and opposition to the Vietnam War. His refusal to be inducted into the military and subsequent legal battle became defining moments in American social history.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Sports and Recreation

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

485, 119th Congress (2025). "Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-485