U.S. Representative Darrell Issa of San Diego re‑filed legislation on May 21 to let President Donald Trump award the Medal of Honor to Sgt. Rafael Peralta, a Marine who died shielding his squad from a grenade during the Second Battle of Fallujah in 2004. The measure would override the three‑year recommendation and five‑year presentation deadlines that normally govern the nation’s highest military decoration.

Rep. Darrell Issa reintroduces Medal of Honor bill on May 21

Issa’s proposal explicitly asks Congress to waive the statutory time limits so the president can bestow the Medal of Honor on Peralta, whose actions occurred nearly two decades ago. according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, a recommendation must be made within three years of the act and the award presented within five; otherwise, a special law is required.

The 2004 Fallujah grenade incident that saved fellow Marines

On November 15, 2004, Peralta’s unit—known as the “Lava Dogs” of A Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines—was clearing buildings in Fallujah when an enemy combatant lobbed a grenade near his head. Peralta allegedly grabbed the explosive, absorbing the blast and protecting nearby Marines from serious injury. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and a Combat Action Ribbon, and a U.S. destroyer now bears his name.

Statutory time limits and the 2012 video evidence revival

A 2012 effort to reopen Peralta’s Medal of Honor nomination emerged after new video and audio recordings were released, suggesting his actions met the award’s stringent criteria . the Department of Defense later issued “favorable determinations” indicating the evidence merited consideration, but because the original deadline had passed, congressional action became necessary, as the source reported.

What remains unclear about the Department of Defense’s favorable determination

The DoD’s statements have not detailed the specific criteria that were met, nor have they disclosed whether any dissenting opinions exist within the review board. Additionally,the bill’s language does not address whether the president must still follow the traditional recommendation chain, leaving procedural ambiguity that could affect the award’s ultimate approval.

Who will decide if the Medal of Honor is finally granted?

If the House passes Issa’s amendment, the measure moves to the Senate and then to the president’s desk for signature. Until both chambers act, Peralta’s case remains in legislative limbo, and the broader question of how often Congress intervenes in Medal of Honor nominations stays unresolved.