Sponsors (2)
The resolution creates a free, public memorial that recognizes fallen law-enforcement officers and clarifies operational and security roles for the event, but it does so at the cost of added taxpayer and operational burdens, legal/financial risks for sponsors, and potential free-speech and equal-access concerns.
Families of fallen officers and law-enforcement communities are publicly honored by a free national memorial and ceremonies on the Capitol Grounds recognizing officers who died in the line of duty.
Members of the public can attend a free memorial/exhibition (including honor guards and bagpipe performances), increasing community engagement and access to remembrance events.
Event logistics are enabled by allowing sponsors to set up stages and sound systems with Architect of the Capitol approval, and by establishing fixed dates, which helps organizers, congressional staff, and attendees plan and preserves the Grounds.
Taxpayers, Capitol operations, and federal employees face increased costs and operational burdens (security, cleanup, overtime) from hosting the multi-day event on the Capitol Grounds.
Visitors, protesters, and the public may perceive the single-organization-sponsored event as privileging a specific group and stronger enforcement could be applied unevenly, raising free-speech and viewpoint-discrimination concerns.
Sponsors—especially small nonprofits—must cover all event costs, which may discourage smaller organizations from hosting or participating.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes the Fraternal Order of Police to hold a free Memorial Service and Honor Guard/Bagpipe Exhibition on the Capitol Grounds in May 2025, with sponsors responsible for costs and compliance.
Permits the National Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary to hold the 44th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service and an Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition on the U.S. Capitol Grounds in May 2025, sets the dates (or allows alternative dates jointly designated by House and Senate officials), and authorizes necessary preparations, structures, and takedown. The resolution requires the events to be free and open to the public, places responsibility for expenses and liabilities on the sponsors, and directs the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board to set conditions and enforce applicable restrictions during the events.
Official title: Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition.
Introduced February 6, 2025 by Scott Perry · Last progress April 30, 2025