March 10, 2023

Duckworth Joins Budd, Kelly, Tillis to Introduce Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.]—U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth joined U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) to introduce the bipartisan Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act. The bill would instruct the U.S. Mint to develop a commemorative coin series honoring the critical role working dogs play in our society, while providing financial support to help raise and train service dogs for Veterans.

“Working dogs provide pivotal assistance for so many people from servicemembers and Veterans to folks with disabilities and more,” said Duckworth. “I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to recognize our furry friends while helping provide support to organizations that train these service dogs so they’re ready to serve.”

“We all recognize the invaluable service that working dogs provide to our active-duty service members, veterans, and first-responders. These exceptional animals help our heroes enhance their mobility, their independence, and their lives. Not only is developing a commemorative coin a special way to honor the service of working dogs, but this bipartisan legislation creates a fiscally responsible pathway to help raise and train these amazing lifesaving animals,” said Budd.

All surcharges from the bill will go to America’s VetDogs to ensure that this organization can continue to provide these lifesaving animals to Veterans and first responders with disabilities at no cost to the individual.

The House version has been introduced by U.S. Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and U.S. Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA-02).

The full text of the bill is available here.

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