Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the United States during Public Service Recognition Week and throughout the year.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 403
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-09: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-11T14:51:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 403) expresses the sense of the U.S. House of Representatives in commending public servants— including federal, state, and local government employees, as well as members of the uniformed services—for their dedication and contributions to the United States. It specifically highlights Public Service Recognition Week (May 4–10, 2025), marking its 41st anniversary, while emphasizing ongoing recognition throughout the year.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a series of "Whereas" clauses outlining the importance of public service, followed by a "Resolved" section with five main directives:
- Commendation during Public Service Recognition Week: Praises public servants for their year-round contributions to the country.
- Salute to dedication: Recognizes government employees and uniformed service members for their commitment and enthusiasm in serving the public.
- Honor for sacrifices: Pays tribute to those who have lost their lives in public service to their communities and nation.
- Promotion of public service careers: Encourages initiatives to highlight and celebrate opportunities in government service at all levels.
- Expression of gratitude: Thanks public servants for selflessly responding to the needs of their country, states, or communities.
The "Whereas" clauses detail specific roles of public servants, such as defending freedom, providing healthcare benefits (e.g., under Social Security and Medicare), fighting crime and disease, protecting the environment, aiding disaster recovery, and supporting economic growth.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution that does not amend or create any new laws. It simply states the House's opinion and has no legal effect or enforceable requirements.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies and employees: Symbolic boost to morale and recognition for millions of public servants, potentially encouraging recruitment and retention in government roles without direct funding or policy changes.
- On citizens: Raises public awareness of the vital services provided by government workers, fostering greater appreciation for contributions to daily life, security, and community welfare.
- On international relations: Minimal impact, though it indirectly affirms U.S. values like democracy and public welfare, which could resonate in global contexts involving U.S. foreign policy or aid.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Public servants: Primary beneficiaries, including federal employees (e.g., those in defense, health, environment, and veterans' services), state and local government workers, teachers, firefighters, police, and uniformed services members (e.g., National Guard, Reserves).
- Congress and oversight bodies: The resolution was introduced by bipartisan representatives and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, signaling institutional support.
- The general public: Indirectly affected through heightened visibility of government services that support education, health, transportation, and disaster response.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: None, as resolutions like this are expressive only and do not carry the force of law; they cannot be challenged in court.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's broad authority under Article I to express opinions on public matters, without infringing on executive or judicial branches.
- Political: Demonstrates cross-party unity (introduced by 15 representatives from both parties) in valuing public service, potentially influencing future budget or reform discussions by emphasizing the nobility of government work amid ongoing debates on federal employment and efficiency.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Cosponsors (14)
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-09: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-05-09: Submitted in House
- 2025-05-09: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the United States during Public Service Recognition Week and throughout the year. — issued 2025-05-09 — PDF (4 pages)