Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]
- Committees
- Financial Services Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jan 15, 2025
Bottom line
This bill establishes a self-funded commemorative coin program to honor World War II Home Front women, with proceeds supporting related historical preservation and educational initiatives.
What it actually does
This bill requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint commemorative coins in 2028 to honor the women who contributed to the Home Front during World War II, often symbolized by 'Rosie the Riveter.' It specifies the denominations ($5 gold, $1 silver, half-dollar clad), design requirements, and issuance period. The bill mandates surcharges on coin sales, with proceeds directed to the Rosie the Riveter Trust to support the National Park Service in maintaining the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and for educational programs, while ensuring the program operates at no net cost to the U.S. Government.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that the bill provides a fitting and proper national recognition for the invaluable contributions, sacrifices, and perseverance of American women on the Home Front during World War II, inspiring future generations. They emphasize that the program is self-sustaining through coin sales and surcharges, ensuring that the commemoration does not burden taxpayers while directly supporting the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that while the intent to honor these women is laudable, commemorative coin programs, while symbolic, may not be the most impactful form of recognition compared to direct funding or other legislative actions. Some may also raise concerns about the proliferation of such programs, or question the specific allocation of surcharges, though direct opposition to this particular bill's core purpose is unlikely given its commemorative nature.
The bill is concise and clearly written, making it easy for an informed reader to understand its provisions quickly.
Section 3(a)
Mandate for Commemorative Coin Minting
This section requires the Treasury Secretary to mint up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins. It specifies the weight, diameter, and metal content for each denomination, ensuring they meet established numismatic standards and provide a tangible tribute to the 'Rosies'.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that these specific denominations and quantities are appropriate for a national commemoration, balancing collectibility with accessibility, and ensuring a tangible tribute to the 'Rosies' and their legacy.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against the technical specifications of commemorative coins, as they adhere to standard practices for such programs.
Tradeoffs
Balancing the desire for a wide range of commemorative items with the practicalities of minting capacity and anticipated market demand.
Section 4
Coin Designs and Selection Process
This section mandates that the coin designs must be emblematic of the diverse women workforce who contributed to the Home Front during World War II. It also requires specific inscriptions like 'Liberty' and 'In God We Trust,' and sets the year '2028.' The designs are to be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Rosie the Riveter Trust and the Commission of Fine Arts, with review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.
Section 7
Surcharge Collection and Distribution to Rosie the Riveter Trust
This section establishes surcharges on the sale of each coin: $35 for $5 gold coins, $10 for $1 silver coins, and $5 for half-dollar coins. These surcharges, after covering minting costs, are to be paid to the Rosie the Riveter Trust. The Trust is mandated to use these funds 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. The Trust is also subject to audit requirements.
Section 8
Financial Assurances and No Net Cost to Government
This section requires the Secretary of the Treasury to ensure that the minting and issuance of these coins will not result in any net cost to the United States Government. It explicitly states that no surcharges will be disbursed to the Rosie the Riveter Trust until the total cost of designing and issuing all authorized coins (including labor, materials, marketing, etc.) has been fully recovered by the U.S. Treasury.
This subsection states that no surcharge may be included with respect to the issuance of any coin during a calendar year if such issuance would cause the number of commemorative coin programs issued during that year to exceed the annual two-program limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31, United States Code.
Section 7(d)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to ensure compliance with existing statutory limitations on commemorative coin programs, rather than an attempt to hide a controversial provision.
Case for: Proponents argue this provision ensures fiscal discipline and prevents the market for commemorative coins from becoming oversaturated, thereby preserving the special nature and value of such programs.
Case against: Critics might note that this provision could potentially delay or prevent the issuance of these specific coins if two other programs are already authorized for 2028, creating uncertainty for the program's timing.
Estimated impact: Could impact the timing or even the feasibility of the program if other bills authorizing commemorative coins are enacted for the same year, potentially delaying the intended commemoration.