Here in a nutshell, no pun intended, is what's going on. The following are excerpts from the press release:
“The rule for getting a U.S. coin bill passed requires 2/3 of both legislative bodies to sign on as co-sponsors before it can be voted on,” said GSMD Governor General Lea Sinclair Filson.
The nonpartisan bills were introduced in the House by Congressman Bill Foster, Democrat, IL 11th Congressional District and in the Senate by Senior Senator John Hoeven, Republican, SD. No taxpayer money is used for the U.S. Mint Coin program.
“Passing our GSMD Mayflower coin bill has an important purpose,” said George Garmany, Chair of the GSMD 2020 Committee. “If voted into law, all fifty state societies will receive proceeds for educational programs about the Pilgrims. The society will also make donations to both the Wampanoag Tribe and to designated non-profit organizations in the city of Plymouth, MA where the Pilgrims founded their colony.”
This is the first I've heard about money going out to groups. It's not clear whose money this is, how it is generated or if it is already in an endowed fund somewhere in Massachusetts.
Lobbying was today from noon to 5:00 EDT. If you check the main GSMD web site there will probably be news of the outcome and photos before too long. I wish them luck in achieving the goal.