Recognizing the significance of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as an important time to celebrate the significant contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States.

Bill Number: H.Res. 400
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Native Americans
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-05-08: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Last Updated: 2026-05-12T13:34:26Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 400) aims to officially recognize the importance of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in May. It celebrates the historical, cultural, and societal contributions of AANHPI communities to the United States while acknowledging their diversity, growth, and ongoing challenges.

Key Provisions

Background and Historical Context: The resolution includes numerous "Whereas" clauses highlighting:
The diverse AANHPI population (over 70 ethnicities, 100+ language dialects; ~25 million Asian Americans and ~1.8 million Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, making up >10% of the U.S. population).
Rapid population growth (Asians: 55.5% from 2010-2020; Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders: 30.8%).
Origins of the heritage month in May, tied to events like the arrival of Japanese immigrants in 1843 and completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 with Chinese labor.
2025 anniversaries, including the 40th of the first Asian American in space, 50th of the Vietnam War's end and Southeast Asian diaspora, 60th of the 1965 Immigration Act (which ended restrictive Asian immigration policies), and others.
Notable contributions in government, military, and society (e.g., first Asian American elected officials like Dalip Singh Saund and Patsy T. Mink; current representation with 25 AANHPI Members in the 119th Congress and record numbers in state legislatures).
Historical discrimination, including laws like the Page Act (1875, restricted Asian women's immigration), Chinese Exclusion Act (1882, banned Chinese immigration), Japanese internment via Executive Order 9066 (1942), and recent events like the Atlanta spa shootings (2021).
Recent federal responses, such as the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act (2021) to address anti-Asian violence and a commission for a potential National Museum of AANHPI History and Culture (2022).
Commemorative honors, like U.S. Mint coins and quarters for AANHPI figures (e.g., Anna May Wong, Patsy Mink).
Resolved Clauses: The House of Representatives:
Recognizes AANHPI Heritage Month as a key time to celebrate contributions to U.S. history.
Affirms that AANHPI communities enrich the nation's diversity and strength.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It builds on prior recognitions, such as the official designation of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in U.S. Code (36 U.S.C. § 102), which already calls for presidential proclamations and public observances.

Potential Impacts

On Citizens: Promotes greater awareness and education about AANHPI history, contributions, and challenges, potentially reducing discrimination and fostering inclusion. It encourages public programs, ceremonies, and activities during May to highlight diversity.
On Government Agencies: May inspire federal, state, and local entities (e.g., the Census Bureau, U.S. Mint, or congressional caucuses) to support related initiatives, such as anti-hate crime measures or cultural preservation efforts, though without mandating action.
On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but it underscores U.S. commitment to immigrant and diaspora communities, which could indirectly support diplomatic ties with Asian and Pacific nations by recognizing shared histories (e.g., immigration from those regions).

Main Stakeholders Affected

AANHPI Communities: Primary beneficiaries, gaining symbolic recognition of their heritage, achievements, and struggles, which may amplify their voices in policy and society.
Members of Congress and Government Officials: Includes 25 AANHPI Members in the 119th Congress and caucuses like the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (82 members in 2025), who sponsored or support the resolution.
General Public and Educational Institutions: Encouraged to participate in observances, potentially leading to broader cultural understanding.
Federal Employees and Judiciary: Highlights AANHPI representation (e.g., >8% of federal judges), promoting diversity in public service.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no enforceable legal effect but reinforces existing frameworks like hate crime protections (e.g., COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act) and cultural commissions, without creating new obligations.
Constitutional: Aligns with First Amendment principles of free expression and Fourteenth Amendment equality by promoting recognition of diverse groups, without infringing on rights.
Political: Signals bipartisan support for diversity and inclusion (introduced by a diverse group of representatives), potentially influencing future legislation on immigration, anti-discrimination, or cultural preservation. It addresses ongoing issues like rising hate crimes post-COVID-19, emphasizing the need for continued advocacy in a politically polarized environment.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]

Cosponsors (42)

Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

Recent Actions

2025-05-08: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
2025-05-08: Submitted in House
2025-05-08: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

Recognizing the significance of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as an important time to celebrate the significant contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States. — issued 2025-05-08 — PDF (8 pages)