January 15, 2025
Mr. Garamendi (for himself, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Huffman, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Ciscomani, Ms. Davids of Kansas, Ms. DelBene, Ms. Brownley, Mrs. Radewagen, Mr. Rulli, Mr. Peters, Mr. Amo, Mr. Torres of New York, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Keating, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Beyer, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Ms. Velázquez, Mr. Neal, Ms. Norton, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Sánchez, Ms. McClellan, Ms. Tlaib, Ms. Titus, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Mr. Swalwell, Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania, Mr. Foster, Mr. Veasey, Mr. Bacon, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Mr. Carson, Mr. Quigley, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Amodei of Nevada, Mr. Casten, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Costa, Mrs. Beatty, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Frost, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Ms. Budzinski, Ms. Barragán, Mrs. Trahan, Ms. Kaptur, Ms. Sherrill, Mr. Connolly, Ms. Sewell, Mr. Panetta, Ms. Scanlon, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Pingree, Mr. Khanna, Mrs. Foushee, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Stauber, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Takano, Mr. Kiley of California, Mr. Cuellar, Ms. Scholten, Mrs. Torres of California, Mr. Gomez, Mr. Casar, Ms. Stansbury, Ms. Salinas, Mr. Kennedy of New York, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Bishop, Mr. Van Orden, Ms. Ross, Mr. Deluzio, Mr. Doggett, Ms. Stevens, Ms. Houlahan, and Mrs. Hayes) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the women who contributed to the Home Front during World War II, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act
.
Sec. 2. Findings
The Congress finds the following:
(1)
During World War II, more than six million American women entered the workforce to fill the vacancies left by men who had joined the Armed Forces and support the Home Front. Millions of women already working outside the home shifted to employment in critical industries to support the war effort.
(2)
Women went to work or volunteer full-time in factories, farms, shipyards, banks, and other institutions in support of the U.S. military overseas. They worked with the United Service Organizations and the American Red Cross, drove street cars, riveted airplane parts, collected critical materials, rolled bandages, and served on rationing boards.
(3)
This women workforce met not only the ever-growing demands for war materials, including equipment, weaponry, ammunition, and military rations, but also the demand for support services in schools, hospitals, and offices.
(4)
Collectively, the American women who held employment or volunteered in support of the war effort during World War II have been represented by the iconic image of Rosie the Riveter
.
(5)
As riveters, welders, and other laborers, a diverse women workforce played an integral part in shipyards, aircraft factories, and other areas of the defense industrial base.
(6)
Women in the workforce faced the double burden
of responsibilities on the job and at home as the primary caregivers and wage earners during World War II.
(7)
Rosies
persevered often in the face of harassment, discrimination, and prejudice to support their country and families in a time of great need. Despite equal pay regulations, women were regularly paid 10 to 15 cents an hour lower than their male counterparts even during wartime.
(8)
Black, Latina, Indigenous, Asian American, and Pacific Islander Rosies
were subjected to racist discrimination, violence, and harassment at work, at home, and in public. Women of color overcame long-held policies of discrimination and racial segregation to make significant contributions to the war effort and labor market.
(9)
Our Rosies
are a testament to women’s empowerment and the invaluable contribution of women to the American war effort during World War II, inspiring future generations of women and girls.
(10)
Americans have chosen to honor the women who contributed to the Home Front during World War II, including through the award of a Congressional Gold Medal and the annual celebration of National Rosie the Riveter Day on March 21.
(11)
The work, sacrifice, and dedication of our Rosies
are worthy of national reflection and commemoration.
(12)
It is fitting and proper to recognize and preserve the history and legacy of American women who contributed to the Home Front during World War II for their patriotic commitment to their country and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Sec. 3. Coin specifications
(a) Denominations
In recognition and celebration of the American women who contributed to the Home Front during World War II, the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the Secretary
) shall mint and issue the following coins:
(1) $5 gold coins
Not more than 50,000 $5 coins, which shall—
(A)
weigh 8.359 grams;
(B)
have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and
(C)
contain not less than 90 percent gold.
(2) $1 silver coins
Not more than 400,000 $1 coins, which shall—
(A)
weigh 26.73 grams;
(B)
have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
(C)
contain not less than 90 percent silver.
(3) Half-dollar clad coins
Not more than 750,000 half-dollar coins which shall—
(A)
weigh 11.34 grams;
(B)
have a diameter of 1.205 inches; and
(C)
be minted to the specifications for half-dollar coins contained in section 5112(b) of title 31, United States Code.
(b) Legal tender
The coins minted under this Act shall be legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code.
(c) Numismatic items
For purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.
Sec. 4. Designs of coins
(a) Design requirements
(1) In general
The designs of the coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of the legacy of the diverse women workforce who contributed to the Home Front during World War II.
(2) Designation and inscriptions
On each coin minted under this Act there shall be—
(A)
a designation of the value of the coin;
(B)
an inscription of the year 2028
; and
(C)
inscriptions of the words Liberty
, In God We Trust
, United States of America
, and E Pluribus Unum
.
(b) Selection
The designs of the coins minted under this Act shall be—
(1)
selected by the Secretary after consultation with the Rosie the Riveter Trust and the Commission of Fine Arts; and
(2)
reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.
Sec. 5. Issuance of coins
(a) Quality of coins
Coins minted under this Act shall be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
(b) Period for issuance
The Secretary may issue coins minted under this Act only during the 1-year period beginning on January 1, 2028.
Sec. 6. Sale of coins
(a) Sale price
The coins issued under this Act shall be sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of—
(1)
the face value of the coins;
(2)
the surcharge provided in section 7(a) with respect to such coins; and
(3)
the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, marketing, and shipping).
(b) Bulk sales
The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the coins issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
(c) Prepaid orders
(1) In general
The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of such coins.
(2) Discount
Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.
Sec. 7. Surcharges
(a) In general
All sales of coins minted under this Act shall include—
(1)
a surcharge of $35 per coin for the $5 coins;
(2)
a surcharge of $10 per coin for the $1 coins; and
(3)
a surcharge of $5 per coin for the half-dollar coins.
(b) Distribution
Subject to section 5134(f) of title 31, United States Code, all surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be promptly paid by the Secretary to the Rosie the Riveter Trust to support the National Park Service in maintaining and repairing the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, and for educational and commemorative programs.
(c) Audits
The Rosie the Riveter Trust shall be subject to the audit requirements of section 5134(f)(2) of title 31, United States Code, with regard to the amounts received under subsection (b).
(d) Limitation
Notwithstanding subsection (a), no surcharge may be included with respect to the issuance under this Act of any coin during a calendar year if, as of the time of such issuance, the issuance of such coin would result in the number of commemorative coin programs issued during such year to exceed the annual 2 commemorative coin program issuance limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31, United States Code (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act). The Secretary of the Treasury may issue guidance to carry out this subsection.
Sec. 8. Financial assurances
The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that—
(1)
minting and issuing coins under this Act will not result in any net cost to the United States Government; and
(2)
no funds, including applicable surcharges, shall be disbursed to any recipient designated in section 7 until the total cost of designing and issuing all of the coins authorized by this Act (including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, winning design compensation, overhead expenses, marketing, and shipping) is recovered by the United States Treasury, consistent with sections 5112(m) and 5134(f) of title 31, United States Code.