Floor SpeechNeutral2026-06-24

Text of Senate Amendment 6477

TaxesEnvironmentDefenseVeterans

Context

On 2026-06-24, Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) delivered a floor speech titled "Text Of Senate Amendment 6477" in the Senate.

Full Text

Text of Senate Amendment 6477

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3602] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6477. Mr. BANKS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following: SEC. 1094. VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NATIONAL GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM MEMORIAL. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Concept design.--The term ``concept design'' means an initial concept design for a commemorative work, including architectural renderings and design specifications, developed by the sponsor following site approval and submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts by the Secretary under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, as a design submission separate from and subsequent to the site approval for the commemorative work. (2) Concept design review.--The term ``concept design review'' means the review and approval of an initial concept design by the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts following submission by the Secretary under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, prior to the submission of a preliminary design. (3) Covered war memorial.--The term ``covered war memorial'' means the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial authorized by section 2(a) of the Global War on Terrorism War Memorial Act (40 U.S.C. 8903 note; Public Law 115-51). (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. (5) Site approval.--The term ``site approval'' means the approval by the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts of the location for a commemorative work, which may be granted as part of a combined site and design submission or as a separate site-only submission under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, prior to the commencement of design development. (6) Sponsor.--The term ``sponsor'' means the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation. (7) Veterans service organization.--The term ``veterans service organization'' means-- (A) any veterans service organization chartered under part B of subtitle II of title 36, United States Code; and (B) any organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. (b) Veterans Service Organization Feedback Window.-- (1) Timing.--With respect to the covered war memorial, the Secretary may not submit a concept design to the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, until the date on which the Secretary has completed all requirements of this subsection, including the submission of the response memorandum required under paragraph (4)(B). (2) Notice.-- (A) In general.--Before the feedback period under paragraph (3)(A) may commence, the Secretary shall submit to each veterans service organization a written notice regarding the concept design of the covered war memorial. (B) Inclusions.--The written notice submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include, at minimum-- (i) the name and subject of the covered war memorial; (ii) architectural renderings and design specifications comprising the concept design for the covered war memorial; (iii) the proposed location of the covered war memorial within the Reserve (as defined in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code), including a site map; (iv) a summary of any site-specific guidelines or conditions applicable to the covered war memorial established by the National Capital Planning Commission or the Commission of Fine Arts under section 8905(b)(6) of title 40, United States Code; and (v) the name, mailing address, and electronic contact information of the National Park Service official designated to receive feedback under this section. (3) Feedback period.-- (A) In general.--During the 90-day period beginning on the date on which the Secretary submits the notice required under paragraph (2)(A), there shall be a feedback period during which each veterans service organization may submit written feedback to the Secretary regarding the concept design of the covered war memorial. (B) Voluntary participation.-- (i) In general.--The submission of feedback under this paragraph is voluntary. (ii) Effect of section.--Nothing in this section requires a veterans service organization to submit feedback during the feedback period under this paragraph. (C) Prohibition on submission.--The Secretary may not submit the concept design for the covered war memorial under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, until-- (i) the date on which the 90-day feedback period under subparagraph (A) has concluded; and (ii) the Secretary has completed and submitted the response memorandum required under paragraph (4)(B). (4) Consideration of feedback.-- (A) Review.--The Secretary, in consultation with the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, shall review and consider all feedback from each veterans service organization timely submitted during the feedback period under paragraph (3)(A) prior to making any submission relating to the covered war memorial under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code. (B) Response memorandum.--Not later than 30 days after the end of the feedback period under paragraph (3)(A), the Secretary shall prepare a written response memorandum that-- (i) summarizes feedback received, if any, from veterans service organizations; (ii) identifies any design modifications made, or recommended to the sponsor, in response to such feedback; and (iii) provides a written explanation for any feedback that the Secretary determined could not be incorporated into the concept design. (C) Submission.--The Secretary shall submit the response memorandum required under subparagraph (B) and any related written feedback received under this section to-- (i) the National Capital Planning Commission; (ii) the Commission of Fine Arts; (iii) each veterans service organization that submitted such feedback; (iv) the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission; (v) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; (vi) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives; (vii) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and (viii) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives. (c) Public Availability.--The Secretary shall make publicly available on the National Park Service website-- (1) all notices submitted under subsection (b)(2); (2) all written feedback received from veterans service organizations under subsection (b)(3); and (3) the response memorandum required under subsection (b)(4)(B). (d) Effect of Section.--Nothing in this section-- (1) grants any veterans service organization a right of approval, veto, or reconsideration over the design or construction of any commemorative work; (2) requires the Secretary, the National Capital Planning Commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, or the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission to incorporate any feedback submitted under this section into the design of a commemorative work; (3) supersedes any requirement under chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Commemorative Works Act''), any other applicable Federal law (including regulations), or agency guidance; or (4) applies to any commemorative work for which the Secretary has submitted a concept design to the National Capital Planning Commission or the Commission of Fine Arts under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, before the date of enactment of this Act. ______

View original source →

Text of Senate Amendment 6477 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3602] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6477. Mr. BANKS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following: SEC. 1094. VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NATIONAL GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM MEMORIAL. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Concept design.--The term ``concept design'' means an initial concept design for a commemorative work, including architectural renderings and design specifications, developed by the sponsor following site approval and submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts by the Secretary under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, as a design submission separate from and subsequent to the site approval for the commemorative work. (2) Concept design review.--The term ``concept design review'' means the review and approval of an initial concept design by the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts following submission by the Secretary under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, prior to the submission of a preliminary design. (3) Covered war memorial.--The term ``covered war memorial'' means the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial authorized by section 2(a) of the Global War on Terrorism War Memorial Act (40 U.S.C. 8903 note; Public Law 115-51). (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. (5) Site approval.--The term ``site approval'' means the approval by the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts of the location for a commemorative work, which may be granted as part of a combined site and design submission or as a separate site-only submission under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, prior to the commencement of design development. (6) Sponsor.--The term ``sponsor'' means the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation. (7) Veterans service organization.--The term ``veterans service organization'' means-- (A) any veterans service organization chartered under part B of subtitle II of title 36, United States Code; and (B) any organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. (b) Veterans Service Organization Feedback Window.-- (1) Timing.--With respect to the covered war memorial, the Secretary may not submit a concept design to the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, until the date on which the Secretary has completed all requirements of this subsection, including the submission of the response memorandum required under paragraph (4)(B). (2) Notice.-- (A) In general.--Before the feedback period under paragraph (3)(A) may commence, the Secretary shall submit to each veterans service organization a written notice regarding the concept design of the covered war memorial. (B) Inclusions.--The written notice submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include, at minimum-- (i) the name and subject of the covered war memorial; (ii) architectural renderings and design specifications comprising the concept design for the covered war memorial; (iii) the proposed location of the covered war memorial within the Reserve (as defined in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code), including a site map; (iv) a summary of any site-specific guidelines or conditions applicable to the covered war memorial established by the National Capital Planning Commission or the Commission of Fine Arts under section 8905(b)(6) of title 40, United States Code; and (v) the name, mailing address, and electronic contact information of the National Park Service official designated to receive feedback under this section. (3) Feedback period.-- (A) In general.--During the 90-day period beginning on the date on which the Secretary submits the notice required under paragraph (2)(A), there shall be a feedback period during which each veterans service organization may submit written feedback to the Secretary regarding the concept design of the covered war memorial. (B) Voluntary participation.-- (i) In general.--The submission of feedback under this paragraph is voluntary. (ii) Effect of section.--Nothing in this section requires a veterans service organization to submit feedback during the feedback period under this paragraph. (C) Prohibition on submission.--The Secretary may not submit the concept design for the covered war memorial under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, until-- (i) the date on which the 90-day feedback period under subparagraph (A) has concluded; and (ii) the Secretary has completed and submitted the response memorandum required under paragraph (4)(B). (4) Consideration of feedback.-- (A) Review.--The Secretary, in consultation with the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, shall review and consider all feedback from each veterans service organization timely submitted during the feedback period under paragraph (3)(A) prior to making any submission relating to the covered war memorial under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code. (B) Response memorandum.--Not later than 30 days after the end of the feedback period under paragraph (3)(A), the Secretary shall prepare a written response memorandum that-- (i) summarizes feedback received, if any, from veterans service organizations; (ii) identifies any design modifications made, or recommended to the sponsor, in response to such feedback; and (iii) provides a written explanation for any feedback that the Secretary determined could not be incorporated into the concept design. (C) Submission.--The Secretary shall submit the response memorandum required under subparagraph (B) and any related written feedback received under this section to-- (i) the National Capital Planning Commission; (ii) the Commission of Fine Arts; (iii) each veterans service organization that submitted such feedback; (iv) the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission; (v) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; (vi) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives; (vii) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and (viii) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives. (c) Public Availability.--The Secretary shall make publicly available on the National Park Service website-- (1) all notices submitted under subsection (b)(2); (2) all written feedback received from veterans service organizations under subsection (b)(3); and (3) the response memorandum required under subsection (b)(4)(B). (d) Effect of Section.--Nothing in this section-- (1) grants any veterans service organization a right of approval, veto, or reconsideration over the design or construction of any commemorative work; (2) requires the Secretary, the National Capital Planning Commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, or the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission to incorporate any feedback submitted under this section into the design of a commemorative work; (3) supersedes any requirement under chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Commemorative Works Act''), any other applicable Federal law (including regulations), or agency guidance; or (4) applies to any commemorative work for which the Secretary has submitted a concept design to the National Capital Planning Commission or the Commission of Fine Arts under section 8905(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code, before the date of enactment of this Act. ______