Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act

Bill Number

H.R. 9047

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2026-07-01T08:08:04Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation aims to protect the viewshed of Arlington National Cemetery by restricting the placement of large triumphal arches in specific federal areas within the District of Columbia and the broader capital region.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition in Lady Bird Johnson Park: No triumphal arch may be established or constructed in Lady Bird Johnson Park (formerly Columbia Island), regardless of funding source; federal funds are explicitly barred for such projects.
• Height restriction on National Park Service land: Triumphal arches exceeding 50 feet in height are prohibited on lands managed by the National Capital Region Office of the National Park Service unless Congress provides explicit authorization.
• Definitions: "Lady Bird Johnson Park" refers to the specified island area in the District of Columbia; "triumphal arch" includes any monumental freestanding archway or substantially similar structure.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces targeted new restrictions on triumphal arches in designated National Park Service areas, where no such specific prohibitions previously existed in statute. It overrides general authorities that might otherwise allow such structures by requiring congressional approval for taller arches and banning them outright in Lady Bird Johnson Park.

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: Limits the National Park Service's flexibility in approving monuments or structures on its lands, potentially requiring additional congressional oversight for projects in the capital region.
• Citizens: Restricts certain commemorative or architectural developments in public spaces, which could affect future memorial proposals while preserving scenic views for visitors to Arlington National Cemetery and surrounding areas.
• International relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• National Park Service and its National Capital Region Office, which administers the affected lands.
• Members of Congress, who gain explicit authority over approvals for certain structures.
• Residents and visitors to the District of Columbia, particularly those concerned with views of Arlington National Cemetery.
• Sponsors of potential triumphal arch projects or related monuments.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The bill exercises Congress's authority over federal property management under Article IV of the Constitution, creating a specific statutory bar rather than relying on agency discretion. It may reflect efforts to balance commemorative construction with preservation of historic viewsheds, without altering broader constitutional powers related to monuments or land use.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

Cosponsors (42)

Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]

Recent Actions

• 2026-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2026-05-29: Introduced in House
• 2026-05-29: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act — issued 2026-05-29 — PDF (3 pages)