A bill to extend the authority for modifications to the Second Division Memorial in the District of Columbia.
- Bill Number
- S. 1353
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-04: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-24T12:48:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to extend the timeframe for authorizing modifications to the Second Division Memorial, a monument in Washington, D.C., honoring the U.S. Army's Second Infantry Division from World War I. It prevents the expiration of existing permissions for such changes.
Key Provisions
- Extension of Authority: The bill continues the permissions granted under Section 352 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91), allowing modifications to the memorial.
- Duration: This extended authority applies through September 30, 2032.
- Override of Existing Law: It explicitly overrides Section 8903(e) of Title 40, United States Code, which sets general time limits (typically 7 years) for alterations to commemorative works in the District of Columbia.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The original 2018 law provided temporary authority for memorial modifications, likely tied to repair or enhancement projects.
- This bill removes the impending deadline by extending the authorization for an additional period (up to 2032), bypassing standard federal restrictions on the duration of such permissions under Title 40. This ensures ongoing work can proceed without needing new congressional approval.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The National Park Service (which manages many D.C. memorials) and the Department of the Interior may continue oversight and funding for modifications without interruption, potentially saving administrative time and resources.
- On Citizens: Veterans, military families, and the public interested in historical preservation benefit from sustained maintenance of a key war memorial, enhancing its educational and commemorative value in the nation's capital.
- On International Relations: Minimal impact, as the memorial is a domestic historical site with no direct foreign policy ties.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Memorial Organizers and Funders: Groups like the Second Infantry Division Association or related nonprofits, who may be leading restoration efforts.
- Federal Agencies: National Park Service and General Services Administration, responsible for D.C. monuments and compliance with commemorative works rules.
- Veterans and Military Community: Members of the Second Infantry Division and broader veteran groups, who value the memorial's upkeep.
- Congress and Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through extended federal permissions that could influence budgeting for historical sites.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: This is a straightforward procedural extension under congressional authority to regulate federal properties (Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution). It avoids potential litigation over expired permissions by preemptively overriding Title 40 limits.
- Constitutional: No major issues; it aligns with Congress's power over the District of Columbia and federal lands.
- Political: As a bipartisan-friendly bill (introduced by Sen. Murkowski, R-AK), it highlights congressional support for military heritage preservation. It could set a precedent for similar extensions on other memorials, potentially streamlining future maintenance but raising questions about uniform application of time limits in federal law.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-04: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
- 2025-12-09: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- 2025-04-08: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-04-08: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To extend the authority for modifications to the Second Division Memorial in the District of Columbia. — issued 2025-04-08 — PDF (1 pages)