Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the current design concept for the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial fails to adequately honor the profound sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces, and demanding a redesigned monument that clearly and unmistakably honors the valor, combat reality, and distinct sacrifice of post-9/11 veterans.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1407
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-30: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-08T21:24:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the current design concept for the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial does not adequately honor the sacrifices of U.S. Armed Forces members. It calls for a redesigned monument that explicitly depicts the valor, combat experiences, and distinct sacrifices of post-9/11 veterans.
Key Provisions
- Notes the September 11, 2001, attacks and the resulting conflict, which involved over 2.7 million service members deployed to areas including Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, and the Horn of Africa, with more than 7,000 fatalities and tens of thousands wounded.
- States that national memorials should serve as enduring testaments to courage and sacrifice, citing examples like the Marine Corps War Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial that portray service and realities explicitly.
- Criticizes the design unveiled on June 10, 2026, by the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation for relying on abstract features, landscaping, and water elements instead of direct depictions.
- Resolves that:
- The abstract design fails to honor veterans and Gold Star families appropriately.
- Memorials should prioritize explicit depictions of military service over artistic reflection.
- The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, Commission of Fine Arts, and National Capital Planning Commission should reject or modify designs that obscure the warrior ethos with landscape architecture.
- The final design must visibly showcase physical sacrifice, combat gear, and collective efforts of those who fought.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution and does not amend or alter any existing statutes. It solely conveys congressional opinion on the memorial design process.
Potential Impacts
- Could prompt revisions to the memorial's design on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., affecting its construction timeline and appearance.
- May influence how government agencies involved in approvals approach future national monuments.
- Could shape public understanding of post-9/11 military service for future generations by emphasizing representational elements over abstract ones.
- Limited direct effects on international relations, as it focuses on domestic commemoration.
Main Stakeholders
- Post-9/11 veterans and Gold Star families.
- The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation.
- The Commission of Fine Arts and National Capital Planning Commission.
- Members of Congress and the broader public interested in military memorials.
Notable Implications
- Highlights debates on memorial design styles, favoring explicit portrayals of combat over abstract or landscape-focused approaches.
- As a sense-of-the-House resolution, it carries no legal enforcement but may exert political pressure on design decisions.
- Raises considerations about balancing artistic interpretation with historical clarity in honoring military service under the Constitution's framework for congressional resolutions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-30: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-06-30: Submitted in House
- 2026-06-30: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the current design concept for the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial fails to adequately honor the profound sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces, and demanding a redesigned monument that clearly and unmistakably honors the valor, combat reality, and distinct sacrifice of post-9/11 veterans. — issued 2026-06-30 — PDF (3 pages)