Values for America · Brief for congressional offices

To the office of U.S. Representative Richard Hudson

Re: HR 2196 (119th Congress), National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Extension Act · Latest action (2026-09-11): Became Public Law No: 119-107.
VFA SI Solution #244 · published 2026-08-11 · https://www.valuesforamerica.com/solutions/244
Office of record (Congress.gov): 2112 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC · (202) 225-3715

National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Authorization and Oversight Act of 2025

The measure, as described from the official record: Extend the authorization for the establishment of a national memorial honoring emergency medical services personnel on federal land in the District of Columbia.

The proposal

This Act authorizes the establishment of a national memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia to honor emergency medical services personnel who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. The memorial shall be constructed and maintained by the National Park Service, in consultation with the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation. No federal funds shall be used for construction; all costs shall be covered by private donations and in-kind contributions. The Secretary of the Interior shall issue a permit for the memorial site within one year of enactment, subject to compliance with the Commemorative Works Act (40 U.S.C. § 8901 et seq.). The memorial shall be completed within five years of permit issuance. The National Park Service shall submit an annual report to Congress on the status of fundraising, construction, and maintenance. This Act shall sunset ten years after the date of enactment, unless reauthorized by Congress.

Operative provisions (VFA proposal)

funding source: Private donations and in-kind contributions only; no federal appropriations.
funding amount: Not specified; capped at actual costs of construction and maintenance, with annual reporting to Congress.
sunset years: 10 years
oversight body: National Park Service, with annual reporting to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
enforcement mechanism: If the memorial is not completed within five years of permit issuance, the permit shall be revoked and the site restored to its original condition at the expense of the foundation.
effective date: Upon enactment.

Constitutional basis

Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 (exclusive legislation over District of Columbia)
Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 (spending for general welfare, here limited to oversight and reporting)

Why both sides can back it (VFA’s assessment)

Honors Democratic priorities of recognizing public service and supporting federal workers, and Republican priorities of fiscal restraint (no federal funding) and limited government (sunset provision, private funding).

Values for America is a nonpartisan, constitution-first SI think tank. This brief is informational. It is a policy proposal, not law, and it does not support or oppose any candidate or party. Full analysis and sources: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/solutions/244 · Methodology: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/methodology