Directing the Architect of the Capitol to install at a permanent location on the western front of the United States Capitol an honorific plaque listing the names of all of the officers of the United States Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and protective entities who responded to the violence that occurred at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.
- Bill Number
- H.Con.Res. 33
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-22T12:22:07Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This concurrent resolution aims to honor the law enforcement officers who protected the U.S. Capitol during the violent events of January 6, 2021, by directing the installation of a permanent plaque listing their names. A concurrent resolution is a formal statement passed by both the House and Senate, which can guide actions within Congress but does not create enforceable law.
Key Provisions
- Installation Directive: The Architect of the Capitol (the official responsible for maintaining the Capitol building) must install an honorific plaque—a commemorative marker—at a permanent location on the western front of the U.S. Capitol.
- Content of the Plaque: It will list the names of all officers from:
- United States Capitol Police.
- Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.
- Other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and protective entities who responded to the January 6, 2021, violence.
- Timeline: The installation must occur no later than 30 days after the resolution is adopted by Congress.
- Legal Basis: The action follows guidelines in section 214 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2022 (a law providing funding and rules for Capitol operations).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not amend or repeal any existing laws; it introduces a new symbolic measure to recognize responders.
- It builds on prior appropriations laws by invoking specific authority for Capitol installations, but it creates no binding legal obligations beyond the directed action.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Architect of the Capitol will handle the installation, potentially using allocated funds for maintenance and memorials, with minimal cost implications.
- On Citizens: Provides public recognition for law enforcement heroes, fostering a sense of gratitude and historical remembrance without direct effects on daily life.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic commemorative action focused on U.S. events.
- Overall, the impact is primarily symbolic, enhancing the Capitol's role as a site of national memory.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies: Direct honorees, including Capitol Police, D.C. Metropolitan Police, and other federal, state, and local responders, who gain formal acknowledgment.
- Architect of the Capitol: Responsible for executing the installation.
- Congress: Both the House and Senate must adopt the resolution for it to take effect.
- General Public and Visitors: Those who interact with the Capitol grounds, as the plaque becomes a visible part of the site's historical features.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a concurrent resolution, it is not subject to presidential approval and carries no force of law, but it leverages existing appropriations authority to ensure compliance.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's oversight of the Capitol under Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which grants legislative control over its facilities.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan or unifying recognition of January 6 responders amid ongoing debates about the event; it may serve as a gesture of appreciation but could evoke partisan sensitivities without creating new policy debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- 2025-05-14: Submitted in House
- 2025-05-14: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Directing the Architect of the Capitol to install at a permanent location on the western front of the United States Capitol an honorific plaque listing the names of all of the officers of the United States Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and protective entities who responded to the violence that occurred at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. — issued 2025-05-14 — PDF (2 pages)