Capitol Remembrance Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 212
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-06: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T08:07:53Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Capitol Remembrance Act (H.R. 212) aims to create a permanent exhibit in the United States Capitol to commemorate and educate about the violent attack on the Capitol that occurred on January 6, 2021. This exhibit would preserve historical artifacts, honor those who protected the building and its occupants, and serve as a reminder of the event's impact on American democracy.
Key Provisions
- Timeline and Oversight: The Architect of the Capitol must design and install the exhibit in a prominent location within two years of the bill's enactment, in consultation with the Joint Committee on the Library (a bipartisan congressional group responsible for managing the Library of Congress and related Capitol exhibits).
- Exhibit Content:
- Preserve and display damaged property from the Capitol building or its grounds (as defined in federal law) from the attack, where feasible.
- Include existing photographs and records of the event.
- Feature a plaque honoring:
- The U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies that defended the Capitol.
- Specific individuals who died or were injured, including Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, and Metropolitan Police Officers Jeffrey Smith, Gunther Hashida, and Kyle DeFreytag.
- Capitol staff who helped restore the complex after the attack.
- Optionally include artwork depicting the attack.
- Funding: Authorizes Congress to appropriate necessary funds, which would remain available until fully spent (no expiration on the money).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new mandate for the Architect of the Capitol, with no direct amendments to prior laws. It builds on existing authorities for managing Capitol spaces and artifacts but creates a specific requirement for this commemorative project, including preservation of event-related items and dedicated funding authorization.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Architect of the Capitol and the Joint Committee on the Library would gain a defined project responsibility, potentially requiring staff time, resources, and coordination for design, installation, and maintenance. Law enforcement and Capitol staff could see indirect benefits through formal recognition.
- Citizens: The exhibit would provide public education on a pivotal historical event, fostering awareness of democratic vulnerabilities and resilience. Visitors to the Capitol (including tourists and school groups) could access it as part of free public tours.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the exhibit could symbolically reinforce the U.S. commitment to democratic institutions, potentially influencing global perceptions of American governance stability.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary: The Architect of the Capitol (responsible for execution) and the Joint Committee on the Library (providing oversight).
- Honored Groups: U.S. Capitol Police, other law enforcement agencies, named officers and their families, injured protectors, and Capitol staff involved in recovery efforts.
- Broader: Members of Congress (as the Capitol is their workplace), the general public (as exhibit visitors), and historians or educators interested in January 6, 2021, events.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a clear directive for using public funds and Capitol space for historical preservation, aligning with federal laws on managing government property (e.g., under Title 40 of the U.S. Code). The open-ended funding authorization allows flexibility but requires congressional approval for actual spending.
- Constitutional: Supports the Capitol's role as the seat of government under Article I of the Constitution by promoting transparency and remembrance of threats to legislative functions, without infringing on free speech (the exhibit itself could be seen as a form of protected expression).
- Political: As a bipartisan-sponsored bill introduced on the anniversary of the attack, it emphasizes unity in honoring defenders but may spark debate over how the event is portrayed, given its partisan context. No enforcement mechanisms beyond the two-year deadline are specified, leaving room for future congressional discretion.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (46)
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-33], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray, Jr. [D-CA-31], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-06: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- 2025-01-06: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-06: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Capitol Remembrance Act — issued 2025-01-06 — PDF (3 pages)