To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, the Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell, VA Clinic, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2170
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Became Law
- Became Law
- Public Law 119-35
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-05: Became Public Law No: 119-35.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T18:53:39Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation honors Second Lieutenant Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, a World War II hero and longtime resident of Toms River, New Jersey, by naming a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community-based outpatient clinic after him. The clinic, located at 1055 Hooper Avenue in Toms River, serves a large veteran population in Ocean County.
Key Provisions
- Findings (Section 1): Congress outlines Lomell's background, including his birth in 1920, military service, and heroic actions on D-Day (June 6, 1944) at Pointe du Hoc, Normandy, France. As a Ranger, he destroyed hidden German artillery guns that threatened Allied forces, earning the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, and Silver Star. Post-war, he directed the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, practiced law, and contributed to local organizations. The findings emphasize his role in ensuring the success of the D-Day invasion and his legacy as a community leader and family man.
- Naming Designation (Section 2): The Toms River VA outpatient clinic is officially renamed the "Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell VA Clinic" effective upon enactment. All future references to the clinic in U.S. laws, regulations, maps, documents, or records must use this new name.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces no substantive changes to VA operations, funding, or services. It is purely symbolic, updating the official name of an existing facility and requiring consistent use of the new name in federal documents. No alterations to broader veterans' healthcare laws or policies are made.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA will need to update signage, websites, and records for the clinic, involving minor administrative costs but no major operational shifts.
- On Citizens: Veterans and residents in Ocean County, New Jersey (particularly the Fourth Congressional District), may experience a sense of pride and recognition for local heroism, potentially increasing community engagement with VA services. Lomell's family and the broader veteran community benefit from this posthumous tribute.
- On International Relations: None directly; the bill focuses on domestic honors for a WWII veteran whose actions supported Allied victory, with no implications for current foreign policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for implementing the name change.
- Veterans and Residents of Ocean County, New Jersey: Primary beneficiaries through enhanced local recognition of military service.
- Lomell's Family and Community Organizations: Including the Ranger Battalion Association and Ocean County civic groups, who advocated for the naming.
- Congressional Representatives: From New Jersey's Fourth District, supporting the bill as a local tribute.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward naming authority under congressional powers to designate federal facilities (e.g., via 38 U.S.C. for VA properties); no challenges anticipated as it aligns with precedents for honoring veterans.
- Constitutional: No issues; it falls within Congress's spending and naming powers without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Serves as a non-controversial, unifying gesture to commemorate WWII contributions, potentially fostering bipartisan support for veterans' issues without broader policy debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Conaway, Herbert [D-NJ-3], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-05: Became Public Law No: 119-35.
- 2025-09-05: Became Public Law No: 119-35.
- 2025-09-05: Signed by President.
- 2025-09-05: Signed by President.
- 2025-08-25: Presented to President.
- 2025-08-25: Presented to President.
- 2025-08-08: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2025-08-02: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5521)
- 2025-08-02: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-08-02: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-08-02: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-07-22: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-07-21: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-07-21: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3489-3490)
- 2025-07-21: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3489-3490)
Bill Versions
- An Act To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, the Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell, VA Clinic, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-07-21 — PDF (8 pages)
- An Act To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, the Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell, VA Clinic, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-08-09 — PDF (3 pages)
- To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, the Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell, VA Clinic, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-03-18 — PDF (6 pages)
- An Act To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, the Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell, VA Clinic, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-07-22 — PDF (6 pages)