Press Releases

 Today, President Joe Biden signed H.R. 5142 into law, which would posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 U.S. military servicemembers who were killed in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021.  Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC) joined Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) in introducing this bipartisan legislation in August.  Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the companion bill in the Senate in September. 

“I am proud to announce the legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 U.S. servicemembers who lost their lives in Afghanistan has been signed into law,” said Rep. Rouzer. “These brave troops will now receive the highest award bestowed by Congress for helping Americans and many Afghan allies and their families safely escape the country – even in the face of great danger.  Their heroism will not be forgotten.”

The legislation will award the Congressional Gold Medal to Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole Gee, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan Page, Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, Cpl. David Lee Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, Hospitalman Maxton Soviak and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss.