S. 2487 — Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025

This section states congressional findings on the history, service, and contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers, including the creation of their original six all-Black regiments in 1866 (later consolidated into the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments and the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments); their roles in protecting national parks, fighting in the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean War; their low desertion and court-martial rates; and the suitability of a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize their legacy following the death of the last known living member on November 15, 2024.

This section authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal of appropriate design to the Buffalo Soldier regiments—authorized by Congress in 1866 to serve in the United States Armed Forces—in recognition of their superior, dedicated, and vital service to the United States. The Secretary of the Treasury must strike the medal, which, following the award, is given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture of the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a sense of Congress that it be made available for display elsewhere, particularly at locations and events associated with the Buffalo Soldiers.

This section authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal struck pursuant to section 3, at prices sufficient to cover the costs of labor, materials, dies, machinery use, and overhead expenses.

This section designates medals struck under the Act as (1) national medals for purposes of 31 U.S.C. ch. 51, and (2) numismatic items for purposes of 31 U.S.C. §§ 5134 and 5136. (Thus, the U.S. Mint may produce, sell, and account for such medals consistent with statutes governing official national medals and numismatic items.)

This section authorizes the use of amounts from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund (i.e., the revolving fund for Mint operations) to pay the costs of medals struck under this Act and requires deposit of proceeds from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4 into that fund.