WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral bill to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 13 American service members who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 26, 2021.

“Last month the lives of 13 brave members of our armed forces were cut short by a terrorist attack as they were protecting American citizens and allies during the withdrawal from Afghanistan,” said Senator Cramer. “We should recognize the sacrifice of these heroes and their loved ones by awarding them the highest expression of appreciation Congress has to offer.”  

The following service members would receive the Congressional Gold Medal: Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, and Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss.

Senators Cramer, Daines, and Warren are joined on the bill by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), James Lankford (R-OK), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jim Risch (R-ID), Tina Smith (D-MN),  Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Todd Young (R-IN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Hoeven (R-ND), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Mark Warner (D-VA). Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.