USS Frank E. Evans Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5945
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-07: 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-13T08:06:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The USS Frank E. Evans Act (H.R. 5945) aims to honor the 74 crew members of the USS Frank E. Evans who were killed in a collision on June 3, 1969, by adding their names to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. This recognizes their service during the Vietnam War era, addressing a historical omission where these names were not previously included on the memorial.
Key Provisions
- Authorization and Timeline: The Secretary of Defense must approve and facilitate the addition of the 74 names to the memorial wall within one year of the bill's enactment.
- Consultation Requirement: The Secretary of Defense is required to consult with the Secretary of the Interior (who oversees national memorials), the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (a nonprofit that maintains the site), and other relevant authorities. This ensures any necessary adjustments to name placement or wording are made, especially to accommodate space constraints on the wall.
- Exemption from Commemorative Works Act: Activities related to adding the names are exempt from the Commemorative Works Act (a federal law that regulates the design, construction, and alteration of memorials on federal land), allowing for a streamlined process without additional bureaucratic approvals.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a specific exception to the Commemorative Works Act for this addition, bypassing standard requirements for site selection, design reviews, and public input that typically apply to memorial alterations.
- It effectively amends the scope of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial by expanding eligibility for inscription to include these sailors, whose deaths occurred during a naval operation near the war zone but were not previously listed due to technical criteria (e.g., location of the incident).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense and Department of the Interior will need to coordinate resources for the physical addition of names, potentially involving minor wall modifications. This could set a precedent for future memorial updates but is limited in scope.
- On Citizens: Provides closure and recognition for the families of the deceased crew members, as well as the broader veteran community, by officially commemorating their sacrifice. It may foster greater public awareness of lesser-known Vietnam War incidents.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on a domestic memorial honoring U.S. service members.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Families and Survivors: Relatives of the 74 USS Frank E. Evans crew members, who have advocated for this inclusion for decades.
- Veterans' Organizations: Groups like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, which will collaborate on implementation and benefit from enhanced historical accuracy.
- Government Entities: Department of Defense (leads authorization) and Department of the Interior (manages the memorial site).
- Congressional Sponsors: Bipartisan group of representatives, indicating support from both parties for veterans' issues.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The exemption from the Commemorative Works Act simplifies the process but could raise questions about consistency in memorial administration; however, it aligns with Congress's authority over federal commemorations. No challenges to constitutional principles (e.g., free speech or equal protection) are evident.
- Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's power under Article I to legislate on military honors and national memorials without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan consensus on honoring military sacrifices, potentially boosting support for veterans' memorials in future legislation. It highlights ongoing efforts to refine Vietnam War commemorations, addressing past exclusions based on strict eligibility rules established in the 1980s.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (20)
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-07: 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.
- 2025-11-07: 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.
- 2025-11-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- USS Frank E. Evans Act — issued 2025-11-07 — PDF (2 pages)