Constitution Index · H.R. 186 · 2025-01-03
Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act
Latest official status (2025-12-09): Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-238.
Constitutional grade
A
Constitutional
The bill is a routine exercise of Congress's enumerated power over federal public lands and monuments. It does not infringe on any constitutional right, does not restrict individual sovereignty, and does not raise due process or takings concerns. The decision to place a monument on the National Mall is a federal matter, and the bill does not consolidate power beyond what is necessary for a national memorial.
Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2
SI-generated grade · passed automated checks (real Constitution citation, language rules) · not individually reviewed by a person · methodology · Report an error: hello@valuesforamerica.com
The five checks
Enumerated powers · passes
Congress has explicit authority under Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 to exercise exclusive legislation over the District of Columbia, which includes the National Mall. Additionally, the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2) grants Congress power to dispose of and make rules respecting federal property. Locating a monument on federal land is a direct exercise of these powers.
Bill of Rights · passes
The bill does not implicate any of the first ten amendments. It does not restrict speech, religion, assembly, press, petition, arms, quartering, search and seizure, self-incrimination, due process, takings, trial rights, or cruel and unusual punishment. It merely designates a location for a monument.
Individual liberty · passes
The bill imposes no restrictions on individuals' use of their person, property, speech, labor, or belief. It does not require any individual to do or refrain from doing anything. The burden on government to justify restrictions is not triggered because there is no restriction.
Decentralization · passes
The National Mall is federal property of unique national significance. An individual, family, local community, or state could not reasonably manage a national monument honoring Medal of Honor recipients. The decision to place the monument is inherently federal, and the bill does not consolidate decision-making beyond the minimum necessary—it simply directs the location of an already-authorized monument.
Due process and takings · passes
The bill does not deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, nor does it take private property for public use. It concerns only the placement of a monument on already-federal land. No procedural or substantive due process issues arise.
Provenance
- Congress.gov: HR 186 summary · fetched 2026-10-08 · official page ↗
Version history · never overwritten
| Grade | Graded | Rubric | Source hash | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A · #455 | 2026-10-10 | vfa-constitutional-grade/1.0 | 78695d32e670 | current |
Cite this
Values for America. “Constitutional grade: H.R. 186, Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act.” VFA Constitution Index, grade 455 (rubric vfa-constitutional-grade/1.0), graded October 10, 2026. https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution-index/grades/455. Accessed 2026-10-20.
Permalink: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution-index/grades/455
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