Bayard Rustin Stamp Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7441
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-09: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-14T08:07:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation directs the Postmaster General to issue a forever stamp honoring Bayard Rustin for his contributions as a civil rights leader.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: Bayard Rustin Stamp Act.
- Findings: Congress outlines nine points detailing Rustin’s life, including his birth in 1912, Quaker upbringing, work with the Fellowship of Reconciliation, organization of the 1947 Journey of Reconciliation, advisory role to Martin Luther King Jr., leadership in the 1963 March on Washington, advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, and founding of the A. Philip Randolph Institute.
- Stamp Requirement: The Postmaster General must issue a forever stamp depicting Bayard Rustin as soon as practicable after enactment.
- Definition: A “forever stamp” is defined as a definitive stamp valid for first-class mail up to one ounce, retaining validity even if postage rates increase.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces no amendments to existing statutes. It creates a specific congressional directive for the issuance of one commemorative stamp, consistent with the Postmaster General’s existing authority to produce stamps.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Requires the U.S. Postal Service to design, produce, and distribute the stamp.
- Citizens: Allows the public to purchase and use the stamp for mailing.
- International Relations: No direct effects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Postal Service and the Postmaster General.
- Members of Congress sponsoring the bill.
- Communities recognizing civil rights history, including African American, labor, and LGBTQ+ groups.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill raises no constitutional issues, as it falls within Congress’s authority to direct executive agencies on commemorative matters. It carries no enforcement mechanisms or penalties and functions as a symbolic honor.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Cosponsors (9)
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-09: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2026-02-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-09: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E114-115)
- 2026-02-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Bayard Rustin Stamp Act — issued 2026-02-09 — PDF (4 pages)