Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., successfully steered a bill to establish a national monument honoring World War II Medal of Honor recipient Hershel "Woody" Williams through a deeply polarized Senate, a feat he attributes to direct dialogue and perseverance. The legislation, which marks Justice's first Senate bill, aims to place the National Medal of Honor monument in a prominent location on the National Mall.
The Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act passed the Senate unanimously in March and was later approved by the House of Representatives on August 31. It now awaits President Trump's signature. Justice expressed optimism that the bill would be signed into law in the coming week.
Justice described the legislative process as challenging, citing what he called "romper-room behavior" and "childishness" within the Senate's partisan environment. He noted that the bill initially faced resistance, with some lawmakers seemingly opposing it simply because it was introduced by a Republican.
"I don't know why we don't talk to one another," Justice said in an interview with Fox News Digital. "I don't know why we're disrespectful to one other."
The breakthrough reportedly occurred shortly before Justice intended to bring the bill to the Senate floor, with four Medal of Honor recipients present. He engaged in a direct conversation with Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a fellow member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Justice recounted appealing to Heinrich, highlighting the significance of honoring Williams and other Medal of Honor recipients.
"And he looked right at me and he said, you know, people here don’t talk to one another," Justice recalled Heinrich responding. "And I really appreciate you doing that and I’m not going to object."
Following this exchange, Justice stated the bill passed swiftly. "It was an amazing moment really," he said. "And like I said Martin's a good guy, and I just think that maybe we could all learn from that just a little bit."
Hershel "Woody" Williams, a native of West Virginia, received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima, where he used a flamethrower to destroy Japanese positions under heavy fire. He was the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient before his death in June 2022 at the age of 98. The monument will honor Williams by name while also commemorating all Medal of Honor recipients.
Reflecting on the broader issues of political gridlock, Justice criticized lawmakers who he believes are more focused on reelection and fundraising than on accomplishing legislative goals. He suggested that the Senate's structure, including the filibuster, incentivizes maintaining the status quo rather than fostering productivity.
"People here don’t wanna get something done. All they want to do is just keep it going. Round and round it goes. Fundraiser, fundraiser, fundraiser. Round and around it goes, get reelected, get reelected," Justice stated.
He emphasized that Williams embodied the opposite of such self-interest, describing him as a man "all about us." Justice hopes the monument will serve as a lasting symbol for future generations of courage and dedication.
