National Garden for America’s 250th Anniversary Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2377
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-16T19:20:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, titled the "National Garden for America's 250th Anniversary Act," aims to authorize the White House Task Force on Celebrating America's 250th Birthday to create and manage a new public site called the National Garden of American Heroes. The garden is intended as a statuary park (a collection of statues and memorials) to honor American figures, tying into celebrations for the nation's 250th anniversary in 2026.
Key Provisions
- Establishment and Responsibilities: The Task Force is directed to plan, design, build, permit, and acquire land for the garden. This includes handling all related contracts, environmental reviews, and compliance.
- Timeline: Construction must begin by July 4, 2026, if feasible, but only after approval of the location by the Secretary of the Interior. If the deadline is not met, the Task Force must submit a revised plan to Congress by that date.
- Location: The garden can be built in the "Reserve" (a protected area of federal parks and open spaces in the Washington, D.C., region). If not on federal land, the Secretary of the Interior can buy, receive as a gift, or trade for suitable land from states, local governments, Tribal governments, or private owners.
- Individuals Honored: The garden can feature statues or memorials for any person or group deemed heroic, without restrictions on who qualifies.
- Funding:
- The Task Force must seek and accept private donations.
- A "National Garden Fund" is created in the U.S. Treasury to cover planning, building, and ongoing maintenance costs. The fund will hold donations, earn interest, and invest in safe U.S. government securities.
- Funds from the account will support the Secretary of the Interior (for administrative help), the Task Force (for setup), and the National Park Service (NPS) (for long-term upkeep after opening).
- Visitation and Fees: Once open, the NPS can charge an entry fee only if fund money is insufficient for maintenance; fees must be used solely for garden care.
- Reporting Requirements:
- The Task Force must report to Congress every 60 days on progress, including location plans, design, timelines, and budget details, until the garden opens.
- After opening, the NPS must submit similar reports every 60 days on operations, visitor numbers, safety, funding use, and any challenges.
- Definitions: Key terms include the Task Force (established by executive orders for the 250th birthday celebrations), the Reserve (federal parkland in the D.C. area), and others like "State" and "Tribal Government" (standard legal meanings for governments and tribes).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Overrides parts of federal law (title 40, U.S. Code, sections 8903 and 8908) that normally restrict commemorative works (like statues) in the Reserve and limit who can be honored in such sites. This allows broader flexibility for location and honorees without needing separate approvals under the Commemorative Works Act.
- Creates a dedicated Treasury fund for the project, which is not typical for such memorials and ensures self-sustaining financing through private sources rather than direct taxpayer funding.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Task Force (planning and execution), the Department of the Interior (location approval and land acquisition), and the NPS (maintenance and operations). It promotes private funding to minimize federal spending, but requires ongoing congressional oversight through reports.
- Citizens: Provides a new public space for education and reflection on American history, potentially boosting tourism and national pride around the 250th anniversary. Entry fees could affect accessibility, though they are optional and limited.
- International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill focuses on domestic historical commemoration.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- White House Task Force: Leads establishment and reports to Congress.
- Department of the Interior and NPS: Handles approvals, land deals, administration, and long-term management.
- Congress: Receives regular updates and oversees via committees (House Natural Resources and Senate Energy and Natural Resources).
- Private Donors and Landowners: Provide funding and possibly land through donations or sales.
- State, Local, and Tribal Governments: May contribute or sell land.
- General Public: Benefits from a new educational/tourist site but may face fees or construction disruptions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Codifies executive orders (e.g., from 2020 and 2025) into law, giving the project statutory authority and protection from changes in administration. It streamlines processes by waiving some federal memorial rules, reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's powers to manage federal lands and fund national projects (under Article I); no apparent conflicts with free speech or other rights, as it enables broad commemoration without mandating content.
- Political: Supports patriotic initiatives for the 2026 semiquincentennial (250th anniversary), potentially sparking debates on who qualifies as a "hero" and historical representation. Emphasizes private funding to appeal across political lines, but regular reporting ensures accountability.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-03-26: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- National Garden for America’s 250th Anniversary Act — issued 2025-03-26 — PDF (9 pages)