To designate the area between the intersections of 16th Street Northwest and Fuller Street Northwest and 16th Street Northwest and Euclid Street Northwest in Washington, District of Columbia, as "Oswaldo Payá Way".
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4558
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-21: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-03T15:18:51Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation honors Cuban dissident Oswaldo Paya Sardinas by renaming a section of 16th Street Northwest in Washington, D.C., as "Oswaldo Paya Way." The designation serves as a symbolic expression of U.S. support for democratic freedoms and human rights in Cuba.
Key Provisions
- The area between the intersections of 16th Street Northwest with Fuller Street Northwest and with Euclid Street Northwest is designated as "Oswaldo Paya Way."
- The address at 2630 16th Street Northwest is redesignated as 2630 Oswaldo Paya Way.
- All official U.S. government references to the area or address must use the new name.
- The District of Columbia must install two street signs displaying "Oswaldo Paya Way" above the existing signs at the specified intersections, styled similarly to Metro station signs.
- A detailed findings section outlines Paya's activism, his opposition to the Cuban government, his awards, and the circumstances of his 2012 death.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill creates a new federal designation for a specific street segment and address. It does not amend broader statutes but requires updates to any maps, regulations, documents, or records referencing the location.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The District of Columbia must fund and install the new signs. Federal agencies will update records to reflect the name change.
- Citizens: Local residents, businesses, and visitors will use the new street name for navigation and addressing.
- International relations: The renaming occurs directly in front of the Cuban Embassy, serving as a visible statement of solidarity with Cuban citizens seeking human rights reforms.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The District of Columbia government (responsible for signage).
- The Cuban Embassy and its personnel.
- U.S. federal agencies that maintain maps and records.
- Cuban human rights advocates and the family of Oswaldo Paya.
- Residents and property owners along the affected street segment.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications Congress exercises authority over naming in the District of Columbia for federal purposes. The bill makes a political statement critical of the Cuban government while avoiding direct changes to foreign policy or sanctions. No constitutional challenges are addressed in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26]
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-21: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-07-21: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To designate the area between the intersections of 16th Street Northwest and Fuller Street Northwest and 16th Street Northwest and Euclid Street Northwest in Washington, District of Columbia, as "Oswaldo Payá Way". — issued 2025-07-21 — PDF (5 pages)