H. Res. 1407 is a House resolution saying the current concept for the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial does not adequately honor post-9/11 veterans and Gold Star families. It urges the memorial’s designers and federal review bodies to reject or substantially change any abstract, landscape-heavy proposal in favor of a design that more directly shows military service, combat reality, and sacrifice. Because this is a resolution, it does not create a new program, spend money, or change benefits; it expresses the House’s view about how the memorial should be designed. The resolution specifically references the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission.
What This Bill Does
- Says the current memorial concept is too abstract and landscape-focused.
- Calls for a design that clearly shows military service, valor, and combat sacrifice.
- Names the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission.
- References the post-9/11 wars, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, and the Horn of Africa.
- Does not create funding or benefits; it is a statement of the House's position.
Who This Bill Affects
For most people, this resolution has little direct day-to-day effect because it does not change taxes, benefits, or federal spending. Its concrete impact is on the memorial design process: it seeks to pressure the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation and federal review bodies to choose a more explicit, military-focused design for a monument honoring post-9/11 veterans and Gold Star families. If you are a veteran, a military family member, or involved in memorial planning, the resolution could influence how your service is publicly commemorated; otherwise, the effect is mainly symbolic.
See how this bill affects you — sign in for a personalized analysisWho Supports & Opposes This
- post-9/11 veterans They may want a memorial that plainly reflects combat service, sacrifice, and the realities of the wars they fought rather than a design they see as too abstract or symbolic.
- Gold Star families Families of the fallen may support a more explicit memorial because they want the national tribute to visibly honor the person and sacrifice behind each loss.
- traditional memorial advocates They may argue that national military memorials should depict service members, names, and wartime realities in a direct way, following precedents like Iwo Jima, Korea, and Vietnam.
- architects and landscape designers They may argue that the current concept’s abstract and landscape elements are legitimate artistic choices and can communicate meaning without literal figures or combat imagery.
- memorial design preservationists They may worry that congressional pressure could override the design process and reduce flexibility for an inclusive, contemplative memorial space on the National Mall.
- federal design review stakeholders They may prefer to evaluate proposals through established review processes rather than have the House pre-judge which aesthetic approach should prevail.
Key Implications
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“"the current abstract design concept ... fails to deliver the proper honor"”
The House is formally criticizing the existing concept, which could affect public and official pressure on the memorial project to revise its approach.
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“"reject or substantially modify any design proposal"”
This urges the named review and planning bodies to block or alter proposals that do not fit the resolution’s preferred style.
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“"explicit, unmistakable depiction of military service"”
The resolution favors a literal memorial style, suggesting that figures, gear, or other direct military imagery should be central to the final design.
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“"2,700,000 brave American men and women voluntarily deployed"”
This finding underscores the scale of the conflict and frames the memorial as commemorating a very large veteran cohort across multiple theaters of war.
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“"over 7,000 members of the United States Armed Forces"”
The resolution ties the memorial to wartime deaths, emphasizing that the design is meant to honor those who were killed as well as those who served.
Outlook
As a simple House resolution, H. Res. 1407 is not a law and does not require presidential action; it can be adopted by the House alone or left to stall in committee. With one Republican sponsor, no cosponsors, and only referral to the House Committee on Natural Resources so far, it is more likely to serve as a messaging resolution than to become binding policy, though it could still be agreed to if House leaders want to press for a redesign.
Official Source & Bill Facts
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- Bill
- HRES 1407
- Congress
- 119th Congress
- Official title
- Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the current design concept for the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial fails to adequately honor the profound sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces, and demanding a redesigned monument that clearly and unmistakably honors the valor, combat reality, and distinct sacrifice of post-9/11 veterans.
- Policy area
- Defense & Military
- Latest action
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. (June 30, 2026)
- Last updated
- July 1, 2026
Latest Status
June 30, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.