Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act
This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue coins in recognition and celebration of the women who contributed to the U.S. home front during World War II. All sales of coins issued under this bill must include a surcharge to be paid 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.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7770 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7770
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 21, 2024
Mr. Garamendi (for himself, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Fitzpatrick,
Mrs. Dingell, and Mr. DeSaulnier) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Financial Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
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.
(d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, to the
extent possible without significantly adding to the purchase price of
the coins, the coins minted under this Act should be produced in a
fashion that provides a more dramatic display of the obverse design.
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 ``2025''; 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,
2025.
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.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
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