American Border Story Memorial Act

Bill Number: H.R. 6643
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Last Updated: 2026-02-26T09:07:03Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The American Border Story Memorial Act (H.R. 6643) aims to authorize the creation of a commemorative work (essentially a memorial monument or site) in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. This memorial would honor U.S. citizens and legal residents who died as victims of crimes committed by individuals who were unlawfully present in the United States (meaning undocumented immigrants).

Key Provisions

Authorization: The organization known as The American Border Story (TABS) is permitted to establish the commemorative work on federal land in the Washington, D.C., area.
Compliance with Existing Law: The project must follow the rules of the Commemorative Works Act (a federal law that sets standards for memorials on public land, including design approval, site selection, and construction processes), with one exception: it does not need to adhere to section 8903(c) of that law, which typically requires additional congressional review for certain aspects like site approval.
Funding Restrictions: No federal money can be used for designing, building, or initial setup of the memorial; all costs must come from private sources.
Handling Excess Funds:
Any leftover money after all establishment costs (including required payments for long-term maintenance) must be sent to the Secretary of the Interior for deposit into a specific federal account for memorial upkeep.
If authority for the project expires without full use of funds, leftovers go to a separate account managed by the National Park Foundation, to be used for similar memorial purposes under established procedures.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill modifies the application of the Commemorative Works Act by exempting the project from section 8903(c), which generally mandates a formal process for Congress to approve the location and details of new commemorative works. This streamlines approval but still requires overall compliance with the Act's other standards, such as environmental reviews and design guidelines.
It introduces a specific focus on victims of crimes by undocumented individuals, which is not addressed in prior commemorative authorizations.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The National Park Service (under the Department of the Interior) and the General Services Administration may handle long-term maintenance using deposited funds, adding a new site to their responsibilities without upfront federal costs. This could slightly increase administrative workload for site oversight in the D.C. area.
On Citizens: Provides a public space for remembrance that may offer closure or awareness for families of victims, while potentially sparking public debate on immigration and crime. No direct financial impact on taxpayers due to the private funding requirement.
On International Relations: Minimal direct effect, though the memorial's theme could influence perceptions of U.S. immigration policy abroad, possibly straining discussions with countries of origin for undocumented migrants.

Main Stakeholders Affected

The American Border Story (TABS): The primary group responsible for planning, funding, and building the memorial.
Families and Representatives of Victims: U.S. citizens and legal residents (or their survivors) killed in crimes by undocumented individuals, who may benefit from the recognition.
Federal Agencies: Department of the Interior (for fund management and potential maintenance) and General Services Administration (for site-related administration in D.C.).
General Public and Visitors: Those in the D.C. area or tourists who may interact with the memorial as a site of historical or educational significance.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Reinforces the framework of the Commemorative Works Act while carving out a targeted exception, ensuring the project aligns with federal land-use rules but potentially setting a precedent for similar streamlined authorizations. No challenges to property rights or funding laws are evident.
Constitutional: No apparent issues; the bill respects First Amendment considerations for public expression through memorials and avoids using public funds, aligning with free speech and establishment clause principles.
Political: The legislation highlights immigration-related sensitivities, as it focuses on crimes by undocumented individuals, which could fuel partisan discussions on border security without altering broader immigration enforcement laws. It was introduced by a bipartisan but predominantly Republican group of House members and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources for review.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]

Cosponsors (12)

Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

Recent Actions

2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
2025-12-11: Introduced in House
2025-12-11: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

American Border Story Memorial Act — issued 2025-12-11 — PDF (3 pages)