Michael Baumgartner (R-WA)
United States–Mexican War Memorial Act of 2025
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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
This bill proposes to co-designate the Arlington Memorial Bridge as the "United States-Mexican War Memorial." It allows the Secretary of the Interior to organize ceremonies and install limited interpretive signage, plaques, and landscaping to honor the war and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The act specifies that these additions must not change the bridge's official name or interfere with its transportation and safety functions. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of Federal funds for the design and installation of these commemorative elements, relying instead on donations.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +3
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill honors the service and sacrifice of participants in the US-Mexican War.
- Scored +2
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
The bill honors a significant historical event involving Mexico and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
- Scored +2
Would students be better off under this?
The bill aims to advance historical literacy through commemorative signage.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Historical Literacy: By installing interpretive signage and plaques, the bill seeks to advance historical literacy regarding the United States-Mexican War (Section 2(a)(4) and Section 5(a)).
-
National Recognition: The bill provides national-level recognition for a significant chapter of American history that Congress finds is currently under-recognized (Section 2(a)(2)).
-
No Cost to Taxpayers: Because no Federal funds may be used for the design, procurement, installation, or maintenance of the commemorative elements, the financial burden falls on non-Federal contributions (Section 7(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Identified Negative Impacts: Based on the provided text, the bill explicitly states that the co-designation will not alter or impede transportation or safety functions (Section 3(c)(2)) and will not materially alter the historic character or structural integrity of the bridge (Section 5(b)(2)).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill honors the service and sacrifice of participants in the US-Mexican War. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill honors a significant historical event involving Mexico and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Would students be better off under this? — The bill aims to advance historical literacy through commemorative signage.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill relies on non-Federal donations for the memorial enhancements. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill prohibits the use of Federal funds for the design and installation of commemorative elements.
- 9/19/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House