In a story that has been developing in a tumultuous year, a bipartisan effort has brought the conclusion needed to honor a veteran for his service. It was announced today that the U.S. Senate had approved a bipartisan bill that was introduced by Florida Reps. Stephanie Murphy (D), Michael Waltz (R) and Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R), which authorizes the President of the United States to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe for actions taken in Iraq on October 17th, 2005.
Moreover, the bill also waives a federal law that generally requires a Medal of Honor to be awarded within five years of the actions that form the basis for the award.
In response to the Senate passing the bill, the lawmakers provided statements discussing the necessity for the bill.
Rep. Murphy, who won a closely contested reelection bid, commented that “we are now very close to recognizing this unbelievably heroic soldier, who died saving his men, with our nation’s highest award for combat valor – which he earned beyond a shadow of a doubt.”
Rep. Crenshaw, who also won his reelection bid last week, echoed in Murphy’s remarks, adding that Cashe “is deserving of the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award for bravery on the battlefield, and we urge President Trump to quickly sign our bill into law to make sure that happens.”
Finally, Rep. Waltz asserted that Cashe’s “bravery in the face of danger has inspired so many already – and this is a significant step forward to properly recognize him for his heroism.”
As tensions continue to rise between Republicans and Democrats with the year coming to a close, the bill offers a chance as to how both sides of the aisle can come to the table and get work done.
