Ted Lieu (D-CA)
Congressional Authorization for Federal Building Names Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Congressional Authorization for Federal Building Names Act seeks to amend titles 5, 18, and 40 of the United States Code. This bill prohibits the renaming or redesignation of Federal property unless it is done through a specific provision of law enacted by Congress. Federal property is defined as any feature, building, or real property administered by a Federal agency that was named by Federal statute. The act also establishes penalties for politically appointed officers or employees who willfully display incorrect names or rename property without authorization. These penalties include fines and potential imprisonment.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill centralizes the power to rename federal property within the legislative branch.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill increases transparency by requiring congressional action for name changes on federal property.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill introduces harsh penalties and an extended statute of limitations for political appointees.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Control over Federal Property Renaming: By requiring a provision of law enacted by Congress to rename or redesignate property, the bill ensures that changes to the names of Federal features or buildings must go through the legislative process (Section 2(a)).
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Accountability for Federal Officials: The bill establishes penalties for any covered officer or employee—specifically those who are politically appointed—who willfully displays an incorrect name or renames property without statutory authorization (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Deterrence of Unauthorized Changes: The threat of fines or imprisonment for up to 10 years depending on the level of damage/attempted damage serves as a deterrent against unauthorized renaming of Federal property (Section 2(b)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Legal Burdens on Political Appointees: Politically appointed officers or employees may face significant fines or imprisonment for up to 10 years if they are found to have willfully displayed an incorrect name or renamed property without prior statutory authorization (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Extended Statute of Limitations: Actions regarding violations of these new rules can be commenced up to 10 years after the date the violation occurs, which may impact how long officials are held liable (Section 2(b)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill centralizes the power to rename federal property within the legislative branch. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill increases transparency by requiring congressional action for name changes on federal property. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill introduces harsh penalties and an extended statute of limitations for political appointees.
- 8/6/2026
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
April McClain DelaneyDemocrat · Maryland