WASHINGTON, D.C. - The White House signed U.S. Representative Brian Mast’s (FL-18) bipartisan legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to the heroes who gave their lives defending the United States’ consulate in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012.

At the time of the horrific terror attack, J. Christopher Stevens was serving as United States Ambassador to Libya. He was a member of the Career Foreign Service. Glen A. Doherty and Tyrone Woods were combat-decorated U.S. Navy SEALS, and Sean Smith had earned the Air Force Commendation Medal for his service in the U.S. Air Force.

“It has been a decade since these four Americans gave their last breath fighting to advance the cause of freedom around the globe,” Rep. Mast said. “This distinct honor is long overdue for the heroes who represent the best of our country, and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of the highest civilian honor Congress has to offer.”

Rep. Mast is the Republican co-lead on the bipartisan legislation, and garnered the support of 155 Republican cosponsors and 140 Democratic cosponsors. Senator Ed Markey (MA-D) introduced companion legislation in the Senate and amassed 70 cosponsors. The legislation was approved in a unanimous vote in both the House and the Senate, and President Biden signed the legislation into law.

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