White House NOT FOR SALE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5786
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-17: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-09T21:04:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 5786: White House NOT FOR SALE Act
Purpose
This bill aims to prevent the unauthorized use of the White House for displaying names of individuals, corporations, or other entities, ensuring that such displays do not imply official endorsement, sponsorship, or advertisement by the U.S. government. It establishes safeguards to maintain the White House's integrity as a national symbol.
Key Provisions
- Approval Requirement: Any permanent or semi-permanent inscription, engraving, advertisement, or other display of a name (from an individual, corporation, or entity) within the White House, on its grounds, or in structures on the grounds requires explicit approval from:
- The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
- The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
- The Curator of the White House, who must consult with the Committee for the Preservation of the White House (a group responsible for maintaining the historic site's standards).
- Exception for Commemorative Works: Displays that qualify as "commemorative works" (e.g., memorials honoring historical figures or events) are instead governed by the existing Commemorative Works Act (a federal law outlining rules for public monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C.).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new layer of congressional oversight specifically for the White House, which previously lacked such mandatory multi-party approval for name displays.
- Builds on the Commemorative Works Act by explicitly applying it to qualifying displays at the White House, clarifying that not all inscriptions fall under this exception and thus require the new approval process.
- No prior federal law explicitly prohibited or regulated non-commemorative name displays at the White House in this manner, potentially closing a gap in protections against commercialization.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases coordination between the executive branch (via the White House Curator) and Congress, potentially slowing down or preventing displays that could be seen as promotional. The Committee for the Preservation of the White House may face additional consultation duties, affecting resource allocation for historic preservation.
- On Citizens: Limits opportunities for private individuals or groups to place names on the White House grounds, reducing risks of perceived favoritism or corruption, but could restrict public or artistic expressions if they involve names.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it reinforces the White House's status as a neutral symbol of U.S. governance, avoiding any implication of foreign entity endorsements that might complicate diplomacy.
Main Stakeholders
- Congressional Leaders: Speaker and Minority Leader of the House, who gain veto-like authority over displays.
- White House Officials: Curator and the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, responsible for reviewing and preserving the site's historical value.
- Individuals, Corporations, and Entities: Those seeking to display names, such as donors, sponsors, or honorees, who now face stricter barriers.
- The Public and Preservation Advocates: Benefit from protections against commercialization but may be indirectly affected if displays are delayed or blocked.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal control over public property use, aligning with laws on government endorsements (e.g., avoiding First Amendment issues by regulating government speech rather than private expression). The bill's reference to the Commemorative Works Act ensures consistency with existing monument regulations.
- Constitutional: Raises questions about separation of powers, as it expands House leadership's role in executive-managed spaces like the White House, potentially checking presidential discretion without directly challenging Article II authority.
- Political: Promotes bipartisanship through required approval from both House leaders, reducing risks of partisan or personal use of the White House for branding. It could spark debates on government transparency and preventing "pay-to-play" influences, especially amid concerns over political fundraising or corporate influence.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (13)
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-17: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2025-10-17: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2025-10-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-10-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- White House National Official Trust: Forbidding Official Recognition, Sponsorships, Ads, Logos, and Endorsements Act — issued 2025-10-17 — PDF (2 pages)