Supporting the designation of July 20, 2026, as "National Moon Landing Day".

This resolution simply expresses the sense of the House in support of a commemorative designation. It imposes no legal duty, raises no revenue, and appropriates no funds. The Constitution does not forbid Congress from expressing its sentiments or encouraging the observance of historical events. The Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) vests Congress with discretion to take actions that are conducive to the execution of its enumerated powers, and the historical practice of Congress to designate national days of observance falls within that implied authority. Further, as…

The Constitution grants the federal government only enumerated powers, and nowhere does it authorize Congress to designate national days of commemoration. Such an act, while symbolic, is an exercise of authority not delegated to the United States and is therefore reserved to the States or the people under the Tenth Amendment. Even a resolution expressing support for a national day implies a federal imprimatur that exceeds the limited scope of legislative power. The proper sphere for such recognitions lies with the States or the people themselves, not with the general government.

A resolution merely expressing support for a commemorative day, without creating any legal obligation or appropriating funds, does not exceed the limited and enumerated powers of Congress. However, if such a designation were to carry any coercive effect, mandate observance, or authorize expenditure, it would lack constitutional warrant under the principle that the federal government possesses only delegated powers. The Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) cannot be stretched to authorize symbolic acts that are not incidental to an enumerated power. Therefore, the const…

The Constitution does not expressly grant Congress the power to designate national days of commemoration, but such a symbolic resolution is a reasonable exercise of the legislative power to express the sense of the Congress and to promote national unity. It does not impose any duty or penalty, nor does it infringe upon any power reserved to the States. The Necessary and Proper Clause authorizes Congress to employ means that are appropriate and plainly adapted to the exercise of its enumerated powers, and this resolution falls within that broad authority as a measure conducive to the general we…