9/11 Memorial and Museum Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 835
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-05: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T10:28:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to provide a one-time federal grant to support the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center. This funding commemorates the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, honors the victims, and ensures the site's ongoing operation, security, and maintenance as a place of remembrance and education.
Key Provisions
- Grant Authorization: The Secretary of Homeland Security awards a one-time grant to the eligible entity (the nonprofit organization operating the museum, which must be a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) group as of the bill's enactment). The grant amount ranges from $5 million to $10 million, determined based on the entity's needs and priorities.
- Use of Funds: The grant is restricted to the operation, security, and maintenance of the memorial and museum, with emphasis on visitor safety, facility preservation, education for future generations, and increasing access for economically disadvantaged visitors.
- Application and Award Process: The entity submits an application to the Secretary, who reviews it against specific criteria (e.g., security needs, visitor numbers, commitment to preservation and outreach). If approved, the grant must be awarded within 90 days of receiving a complete application.
- Conditions for Receiving the Grant:
- Free admission to all associated facilities for active and retired U.S. Armed Forces members, registered first responders from the 9/11 attacks, and family members of victims.
- At least one dedicated free admission hour per week for the general public.
- Agreement to annual federal audits of financial statements (including ticket sales, donations, grants, salaries, and operations), which are reviewed by the Secretary and made public.
- Reporting Requirements: The recipient must submit annual reports to specified congressional committees (House and Senate Committees on Natural Resources, Homeland Security, Energy and Natural Resources, and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs). Reports cover fund obligations, expenditures, purposes, and any additional information requested by the Secretary.
- Funding Limitations: No new funds are authorized; the grant depends on prior congressional appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill cuts off mid-sentence in the provided text but implies no ongoing authorization beyond this one-time provision.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new, one-time funding mechanism specifically for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, which was not previously detailed in federal law in this manner. It does not amend prior statutes but creates a targeted grant program under DHS oversight, adding accountability measures like mandatory free access and public audits that may not have been federally required before. Existing support for the site (e.g., through general nonprofit funding or prior appropriations) remains unchanged, but this formalizes federal involvement in its sustainability.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: DHS gains administrative responsibilities for reviewing applications, awarding funds, conducting audits, and ensuring compliance, potentially increasing workload without new dedicated funding. Congressional committees will receive ongoing oversight reports, enhancing transparency.
- Citizens: Improves public access to the memorial through required free hours and priority entry for veterans, first responders, and victims' families, potentially benefiting millions of annual visitors (including economically disadvantaged groups). It supports educational programs to preserve 9/11 history for future generations.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the memorial's role in global remembrance of the attacks could indirectly strengthen U.S. soft power by promoting shared values of resilience and anti-terrorism remembrance for international visitors.
- Broader Effects: Enhances site security and maintenance, reducing risks for visitors and ensuring long-term viability, but the one-time nature limits sustained impact without future appropriations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- National September 11 Memorial & Museum Foundation: Primary beneficiary, receiving funds for operations while committing to free access, audits, and reporting.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Responsible for grant administration, reviews, and audits.
- Victims' Families, First Responders, and Military Personnel: Gain free, prioritized access, honoring their direct ties to the events.
- General Public and Visitors: Benefit from enhanced security, education, and weekly free hours, with emphasis on underserved groups.
- Congressional Committees: Involved in oversight through report reviews, ensuring fiscal accountability.
- Taxpayers: Indirectly affected via federal appropriations, with safeguards like audits to prevent misuse.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes clear eligibility and accountability rules (e.g., audits and conditions) to comply with federal grant laws, preventing fraud while respecting the nonprofit's autonomy. The 90-day award deadline promotes efficient administration under the Administrative Procedure Act.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 8) to fund national commemorative sites, without raising First Amendment issues despite educational mandates. No delegation concerns, as DHS has defined criteria for decisions.
- Political: Reinforces national unity around 9/11 remembrance, potentially appealing across party lines by honoring victims and supporting veterans/first responders. The one-time, appropriation-dependent structure avoids long-term commitments, reflecting fiscal conservatism, but could spark debates on federal funding for specific memorials versus broader priorities. Public audits enhance transparency, mitigating concerns about taxpayer dollars.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (19)
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-05: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-02-04: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-02-04: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H442-443)
- 2025-02-04: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H442-443)
- 2025-02-04: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 835.
- 2025-02-04: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H442-444)
- 2025-02-04: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-01-31: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-01-31: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-31: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act — issued 2025-02-04 — PDF (8 pages)
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act — issued 2025-01-31 — PDF (6 pages)
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act — issued 2025-02-05 — PDF (7 pages)