Redesignating the Robert E. Lee Memorial as the "Arlington House National Historic Site".
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 63
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-01T08:08:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution aims to redesignate a National Park Service site in Arlington, Virginia, previously known as the Robert E. Lee Memorial, to emphasize its historical significance as a house rather than a tribute to the Confederate general Robert E. Lee. The change shifts the focus to the site's broader architectural and residential history.
Key Provisions
- Redesignation of the Site: The resolution renames the site, which is owned and managed by the National Park Service, from the "Robert E. Lee Memorial" to the "Arlington House National Historic Site" effective upon enactment.
- Updating References: Any mentions of the old name in U.S. laws, regulations, maps, documents, or records will automatically be treated as referring to the new name.
- Repeal of Prior Laws: It repeals two earlier joint resolutions from 1955 (Public Law 84-107) and 1972 (Public Law 92-333), which had established and amended the site's dedication as a memorial to Robert E. Lee.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The 1955 and 1972 laws explicitly dedicated the site as a memorial honoring Robert E. Lee, a key figure in the Confederacy during the Civil War. This resolution removes that dedication, effectively ending the site's official status as a tribute to him.
- No new administrative or operational requirements are added; the change is primarily nominal, updating the site's identity without altering its management or boundaries.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The National Park Service will need to update signage, educational materials, websites, and records, which could involve minor administrative costs but no major operational shifts. It may influence how the agency interprets and presents the site's history in tours and exhibits.
- On Citizens: Visitors, historians, and educators may experience a reframing of the site's narrative, potentially reducing associations with Confederate symbolism and highlighting the house's role in American history (e.g., as the home of George Washington Parke Custis and later a Union Army headquarters). This could affect public perception and tourism, with possible debates among those who view the change positively or negatively.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the resolution concerns a domestic historic site with no foreign policy elements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- National Park Service: Primary manager of the site, responsible for implementation and public programming.
- Historians and Educators: Those interpreting Civil War and American history, who may need to adjust narratives around the site's significance.
- Local Community and Visitors: Residents of Arlington, Virginia, and tourists, including Civil War enthusiasts or descendants connected to Robert E. Lee or the site's Union history.
- Veterans and Military Groups: Potentially affected due to the site's proximity to Arlington National Cemetery and its Civil War ties, though the resolution was referred to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services for review.
- Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on racial justice, Confederate heritage, or historic preservation, who may support or oppose the name change based on cultural interpretations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The redesignation is straightforward under Congress's authority to name and manage federal lands and memorials (via the Antiquities Act and related laws). Repealing prior resolutions cleanly removes outdated dedications without creating conflicts, though it may require conforming changes in National Park Service regulations.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; Congress has broad plenary power over federal properties, including historic sites. The change aligns with First Amendment considerations by avoiding endorsement of specific historical figures tied to divisive events like the Civil War.
- Political: The resolution reflects ongoing national debates about Confederate symbols in public spaces, introduced by Democratic representatives from Virginia and D.C. It could spark partisan discussions on historical memory and reconciliation, especially given referrals to committees with military and veterans' oversight, but it introduces no new funding or enforcement mechanisms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
Cosponsors (150)
Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Vindman, Eugene [D-VA-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2] and 100 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Redesignating the Robert E. Lee Memorial as the "Arlington House National Historic Site". — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (2 pages)