Downwinder Commemoration Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4290
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-21: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-30T19:35:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Downwinder Commemoration Act of 2025 aims to honor the Downwinder communities in New Mexico, who experienced long-term health issues such as cancer and infertility due to exposure to radioactive fallout from the first atomic bomb test on July 16, 1945, at the Trinity site. The legislation directs federal officials to create and install commemorative plaques as a form of recognition for these communities.
Key Provisions
- Congressional Finding: Acknowledges the generational health impacts on New Mexico's Downwinder communities from the 1945 atomic bomb detonation.
- Obtainment of Plaques: Within one year of the bill's enactment, the Secretaries of the Army, Air Force, and Interior must jointly obtain three honorific plaques of suitable design. They will consult with other relevant federal departments or agencies as needed.
- Placement Requirements:
- Secretary of the Army: One plaque at a publicly accessible location at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
- Secretary of the Air Force: One plaque at a publicly accessible location at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.
- Secretary of the Interior: One plaque at a publicly accessible location at White Sands National Park, New Mexico.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new commemorative requirements without amending prior laws. It creates a specific mandate for federal agencies to produce and install plaques, filling a gap in official recognition of the Downwinder communities' experiences related to historical nuclear testing.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Requires the Departments of the Army, Air Force, and Interior to coordinate and fund the design, procurement, and installation of plaques, likely involving minimal costs and administrative effort.
- On Citizens: Provides symbolic acknowledgment and public education for affected Downwinder communities and their descendants, potentially aiding in historical awareness and community healing without direct financial or health benefits.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic historical commemoration.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Downwinder Communities: Residents of New Mexico areas impacted by the 1945 fallout, including their families, who gain formal recognition of their suffering.
- Federal Agencies: Departments of the Army, Air Force, and Interior, responsible for executing the plaque program; potentially other agencies involved in consultations.
- Local and Public Visitors: Communities near the placement sites (White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, and White Sands National Park) and park/base visitors, who may encounter the plaques for educational purposes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill is a straightforward directive with a clear timeline and locations, enforceable through standard federal oversight; no enforcement mechanisms or penalties are specified beyond the one-year deadline.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to direct executive agencies on commemorative actions; raises no apparent free speech, property, or due process concerns.
- Political: Represents bipartisan potential in recognizing nuclear testing legacies (introduced by Rep. Vasquez and referred to Armed Services and Natural Resources Committees), promoting accountability for historical government actions without assigning liability or compensation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-21: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-04-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-04-21: Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
- 2026-03-18: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-03-11: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 2025-07-02: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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.
- 2025-07-02: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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.
- 2025-07-02: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Downwinder Commemoration Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-02 — PDF (3 pages)