S. 1353 (119th)Bill Overview

A bill to extend the authority for modifications to the Second Division Memorial in the District of Columbia.

Government Operations and Politics|District of ColumbiaGovernment Operations and Politics
Cosponsors
Support
Republican
Introduced
Apr 8, 2025
Discussions
Bill Text
Current stageCommittee

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Introduced
Committee
Floor
President
Law
Congressional Activities
01 · The brief
Plain-English summaryWhat this bill actually does

This bill extends through September 30, 2032 the existing authority (created by section 352 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018) to make modifications to the Second Division Memorial in Washington, D.C. It specifically states the prior authority will continue to apply notwithstanding section 8903(e) of title 40, United States Code.

Why people may split

Liberals stress public consultation and preserving historical context

Watch point

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused procedural/housekeeping measure that clearly and directly extends an existing statutory authority through a specified date and integrates cleanly with the cited prior law.

This bill extends through September 30, 2032 the existing authority (created by section 352 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018) to make modifications to the Second Division Memorial in Washington, D.C. It specifically states the prior authority will continue to apply notwithstanding section 8903(e) of title 40, United States Code.

Passage85/100

Narrow, noncontroversial statutory extension with negligible fiscal impact typically has high enactment probability, subject to scheduling.

CredibilityAligned

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused procedural/housekeeping measure that clearly and directly extends an existing statutory authority through a specified date and integrates cleanly with the cited prior law.

Contention12/100

Liberals stress public consultation and preserving historical context

02 · What it does

Who stands to gain, and who may push back.

Likely benefits vs burdens50% / 50%
Likely helpedFederal agencies · Local governments

These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.

Likely helped
  • Potential benefitAllows continued maintenance, restoration, or improvements to the memorial under existing authority.
  • Potential benefitProvides legal certainty for project planning and fundraising through 2032.
  • Potential benefitAvoids need for new congressional authorization for modifications before the new expiration date.
Likely burdened
  • Potential burdenExtends an exception to memorial‑protection rules, potentially weakening standard alteration limits.
  • Federal agenciesCould reduce the opportunity for additional public or agency review tied to normal restrictions.
  • Local governmentsMight permit physical changes with localized environmental or site impacts during construction.
03 · Why people split

Why the argument around this bill splits.

Liberals stress public consultation and preserving historical context
Progressive75%

Generally supportive of maintaining memorials and honoring veterans, but cautious about transparency and public input.

Views the bill as narrow and administrative, not a broad policy change.

Leans supportive
Centrist85%

Seen as routine, limited, and pragmatic extension of an existing authority to prevent administrative gaps.

Support likely if accompanied by basic oversight and fiscal clarity.

Leans supportive
Conservative90%

Favorable: upholds honoring of military service and avoids bureaucratic impediments.

Views extension as modest, respectful, and appropriate federal action for a DC memorial.

Leans supportive
04 · Can it pass?

The path through Congress.

Introduced

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Committee

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Floor

Still ahead

President

Still ahead

Law

Still ahead

Passage likelihood85/100

Narrow, noncontroversial statutory extension with negligible fiscal impact typically has high enactment probability, subject to scheduling.

Scope and complexity
24%
Scopenarrow
24%
Complexitylow
Why this could stall
  • Absence of a Congressional Budget Office cost estimate in text
  • Committee and floor scheduling/priorities could delay consideration
05 · Recent votes

Recent votes on the bill.

No vote history yet

The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.

06 · Go deeper

Go deeper than the headline read.

Included on this page

Liberals stress public consultation and preserving historical context

Narrow, noncontroversial statutory extension with negligible fiscal impact typically has high enactment probability, subject to scheduling.

Unlocked analysis

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused procedural/housekeeping measure that clearly and directly extends an existing statutory authority through a specified date and integrates cleanl…

Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.

Perspective breakdownsPassage barriersLegislative design reviewStakeholder impact map
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