79–006 

115TH CONGRESS REPT. 115–399 " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session Part 1 

NATIONAL VETERANS MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM ACT 

NOVEMBER 7, 2017.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

Mr. ROE of Tennessee, from the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

together with 

MINORITY VIEWS 

[To accompany H.R. 1900] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 1900) to designate the Veterans Memorial and Museum 

in Columbus, Ohio, as the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report 

favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill 

as amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Amendment .............................................................................................................. 2 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 2 

Background and Need for Legislation .................................................................... 2 

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 3 

Subcommittee Consideration .................................................................................. 3 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 4 

Committee Votes ...................................................................................................... 4 

Committee Correspondence .................................................................................... 5 

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 7 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 7 

New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures ............. 7 

Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits .................................................................. 7 

Committee Cost Estimate ....................................................................................... 7 

Congressional Budget Office Estimate ................................................................... 7 

Federal Mandates Statement ................................................................................. 8 

Advisory Committee Statement .............................................................................. 8 

Constitutional Authority Statement ...................................................................... 8 

Applicability to Legislative Branch ........................................................................ 8 

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Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs .................................................... 8 

Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking ........................................................................ 9 

Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation ...................................................... 9 

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported ...................................... 9 

Minority Views ......................................................................................................... 10 

AMENDMENT

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Veterans Memorial and Museum Act’’. 

SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL VETERANS MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM. 

(a) DESIGNATION.—Subject to the condition described in subsection (b), the memorial and museum that is, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, being constructed on an approximately 7-acre area on West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, 

bounded by the Scioto River and the Scioto Greenway, shall be designated as the 

‘‘National Veterans Memorial and Museum’’. 

(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—As a condition of the designation under subsection (a), the 

director of the memorial and museum described in that subsection shall submit 

to Congress a report on the memorial and museum by not later than the date 

specified in paragraph (2). Such report shall include each of the following: 

(A) The projected budget for the memorial and museum for the five-year 

period beginning on the date the memorial and museum is expected to open 

to the public. 

(B) A description of the outreach conducted by the memorial and museum 

to veterans across the United States to receive input about the design and 

contents of the memorial and museum. 

(C) A description of the process by which decisions are made about the 

contents of the exhibits displayed at the memorial and museum. 

(D) A description of the organizational structure of the memorial and museum. 

(E) A copy of the bylaws and rules of the memorial and museum. 

(F) A list of any organizations or entities that have accredited the memorial and museum. 

(2) DEADLINE FOR REPORT.—The date specified in this paragraph is the earlier 

of the following dates: 

(A) The date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 

(B) The date that is 30 days before the date on which the memorial and 

museum is first open to the public. 

(c) EFFECT OF DESIGNATION.—The national memorial and museum designated by 

subsection (a) is not a unit of the National Park System, and the designation of the 

national memorial and museum shall not be construed to require Federal funds to 

be expended for any purpose related to the national memorial and museum. 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

H.R. 1900, as amended, the Veterans Memorial and Museum 

Act, would designate the Veterans Memorial and Museum located 

in Columbus, Ohio, as the ‘‘National Veterans Memorial and Museum.’’ 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

The purpose of the Veterans Memorial and Museum, which is 

currently under construction in Columbus, Ohio, is to honor, connect, inspire, and educate United States citizens about the service 

and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. The Veterans Memorial and 

Museum will be dedicated to honor the service and sacrifice of all 

veterans, past and present. Accordingly, H.R. 1900, as amended, 

provides that such memorial and museum should be recognized as 

the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. 

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On September 13, 2017, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing, which included H.R. 1900 on the agenda. During the hearing, representatives from The American Legion, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, testified in support of the bill. 

Because the museum is not yet open, the Committee amended 

H.R. 1900 to establish that the ‘‘national’’ designation would attach 

on the day the museum opens. Additionally, H.R. 1900, as amended, would require the museum to submit a report to Congress that 

would provide certain information, including a description of how 

the museum will approve exhibits, as well as facts regarding the 

memorial and museum’s organizational structures and financial 

projections. Moreover, H.R. 1900, as amended, would clarify that 

the memorial and museum would not become a unit of the National 

Park system. Furthermore, H.R. 1900, as amended, would not obligate or authorize federal funds for the memorial and museum. 

HEARINGS

On September 13, 2017, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held 

a legislative hearing on H.R. 1900. 

The following witnesses testified: 

The Honorable David Rouzer, U.S. House of Representatives; 

the Honorable Steve Stivers, U.S. House of Representatives; 

the Honorable Joyce Beatty, U.S. House of Representatives; 

the Honorable Matt Cartwright, U.S. House of Representatives; the Honorable Jim Banks, U.S. House of Representatives; the Honorable Chellie Pingree, U.S. House of Representatives; Mr. Matthew T. Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary for 

Finance and Planning and Chief Financial Officer, National 

Cemetery Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; accompanied by Ms. Roberta Lowe, Director, Office of Internal Controls, Acting Director, Debt Management Center, Office of Management, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and 

Ms. Cheryl Rawls, Director, Pension & Fiduciary Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans 

Affairs; Ms. Elizabeth H. Curda, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Mr. Alex Zhang, Assistant Director, National 

Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American 

Legion; Mr. LeRoy Acosta, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Blake Ortner, Deputy 

Government Relations Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Ms. Kathleen Moakler, Director, Survivor Advocacy, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors; and, Mr. John Towles, 

Deputy Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. 

SUBCOMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

H.R. 1900 was not considered before the Subcommittee. 

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COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On November 2, 2017, the Full Committee met in an open markup session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 1900, as 

amended, favorably reported to the House of Representatives by 

voice vote. During consideration of the bill, the following amendments to H.R. 1900 were considered: 

An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. 

Roe of Tennessee that would, as a condition of the ‘‘national’’ 

designation, require the museum to provide a report to Congress, which would explain how exhibits would be approved 

and detailing the museum’s organizational and financial projections. The amendment in the nature of a substitute would 

also remove the findings and sense of Congress. Additionally, 

the amendment in the nature of a substitute would clarify that 

the Ohio museum would not become a unit of the National 

Park system, and would not obligate or authorize federal funds 

for the museum was agreed to by voice vote. 

A substitute to the amendment in the nature of a substitute 

offered by Representative Tim Walz of Minnesota to H.R. 1900 

which would have required that both Houses of Congress vote 

a second time once certain criteria are met to affirmatively 

designate the Veterans Memorial and Museum under construction in Columbus, Ohio, as the National Veterans Memorial 

and Museum. Congress would have been required to vote on 

the designation after the memorial and museum received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, and not 

later than 180 days after the director of the memorial and museum would have submitted a report to Congress. Such report 

would have included extensive detailed information regarding 

museum’s operations, financial matters, and governance and 

non-profit status. Additionally, the Substitute would have 

clarified that the memorial and museum is not a unit of the 

National Park System, and the designation of the national memorial and museum shall not be construed to require or permit 

Federal funds to be expended for any purpose related to the 

national memorial and museum. The Substitute to the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute was not agreed to by a 

voice vote. 

COMMITTEE VOTES

In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, there were no recorded votes taken on 

amendments or in connection with ordering H.R. 1900, as amended 

reported to the House. A motion by Representative Gus M. Bilirakis of Florida to favorably report H.R. 1900, as amended, to the 

House of Representatives was agreed to by voice vote. 

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COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause (2)(b)(1) 

of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the 

descriptive portions of this report. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee’s performance goal and 

objective is to designate the Veterans Memorial and Museum as 

the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. 

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX

EXPENDITURES

In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the cost estimate prepared by 

the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 

402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

EARMARKS AND TAX AND TARIFF BENEFITS

H.R. 1900, as amended, does not contain any Congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 

clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 

COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R. 1900, 

as amended, prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 

Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 

1974. 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate for H.R. 1900, 

as amended, provided by the Congressional Budget Office pursuant 

to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: 

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, November 6, 2017. 

Hon. PHIL ROE, M.D., 

Chairman, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1900, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum Act. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Logan Smith. 

Sincerely, 

KEITH HALL, 

Director. 

Enclosure. 

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H.R. 1900—National Veterans Memorial and Museum Act 

H.R. 1900 would designate a memorial and museum, currently 

being constructed by a non-profit organization in Columbus, Ohio, 

as the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. The bill would 

require the director of the new museum to submit a report to the 

Congress on the memorial and museum’s progress and operation. 

H.R. 1900 would clarify that neither part of the facility would be 

a unit of the National Park System and that the designation under 

the bill would not require federal funds to be expended. Thus, CBO 

estimates that H.R. 1900 would have no effect on the federal budget. 

Enacting H.R. 1900 would not affect direct spending or revenues; 

therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. 

CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 1900 would not increase net 

direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 

10-year periods beginning in 2028. 

H.R. 1900 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Logan Smith. The estimate was approved by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal mandates regarding H.R. 1900, as amended, prepared by the Director 

of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R. 1900, as 

amended. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the United States Constitution, 

H.R. 1900, as amended, is authorized by Congress’ power to ‘‘provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United 

States.’’ 

APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that H.R. 1900, as amended, does not relate 

to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of 

the Congressional Accountability Act. 

STATEMENT ON DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision of H.R. 

1900, as amended, establishes or reauthorizes a program of the 

Federal Government known to be duplicative of another Federal 

program, a program that was included in any report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 

of Public Law 111–139, or a program related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. 

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DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTED RULEMAKING

Pursuant to section 3(i) of H. Res. 5, 115th Cong. (2017), the 

Committee estimates that H.R. 1900, as amended, contains no directed rule making that would require the Secretary to prescribe 

regulations. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Sec. 1. Short title 

Section 1 would establish the short title of the Act. 

Sec. 2. Designation of National Veterans Memorial and Museum 

Section 2(a) would designate the Veterans Memorial and Museum as the National Veterans Memorial and Museum subject to 

certain conditions describe in subsection 3(b). 

Section 2(b) would require the director of the Veterans Memorial 

and Museum to submit a report to Congress. Such report would include the projected budget for such memorial and museum for the 

five-year period beginning on the date the memorial and museum 

is expected to open to the public; a description of the outreach conducted by the Veterans Memorial and Museum to veterans across 

the United States to receive input about the design and contents 

of such memorial and museum; a description of the process by 

which decisions are made about the contents of the exhibits displayed at the memorial and museum; a description of the organizational structure of the memorial and museum; a copy of the bylaws 

and rules of the memorial and museum; and, a list of any organizations or entities that have accredited the memorial and museums. 

Such report must be submitted to Congress on the earlier of the 

following dates: the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act or the date that is 30 days before the date on 

which the memorial and museum is first open to the public. 

Section 2(c) would clarify that the National Veterans Memorial 

and Museum is not a unit of the National Park System, and the 

designation of such memorial and museum shall not be construed 

to require or permit Federal funds to be expended for any purpose 

related to the memorial and museum. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing law. 

(10) 

MINORITY VIEWS 

The Minority commends the efforts of the Columbus Downtown 

Development Corporation (CDDC) to establish a museum and memorial to U.S. veterans of all eras in Columbus, Ohio. The materials provided Members of the Veterans Affairs Committee clearly 

demonstrate the intent to create an architecturally stunning, stateof-the-art institution in the heart of the country that honors veterans and educates the public about their sacrifices. 

Because the planners in Columbus wish to have this museum 

and memorial designated by Congress as ‘‘The National Veterans 

Museum and Memorial,’’ the Minority has taken extremely seriously the Committee’s responsibility to ensure that it be established and operated to the highest possible standards, in perpetuity, as are the cemeteries and memorials under its jurisdiction 

run by the National Cemetery Administration and the American 

Battle Monuments Commission. 

In the view of the Minority, the information the Committee received in testimony at the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee hearing on September 13, 2017 did not provide 

the detail necessary to be assured that this museum will meet that 

high standard. Many questions were left unanswered about how 

the museum’s governance structure will work and how the museum 

will be funded. Therefore, the Minority greatly appreciates the efforts of the Chairman and the museum’s proponents to include a 

new provision in the Act to require a report to Congress 90 days 

after the date of enactment. This report must address the issues 

of budget, governance, operations, vision and veteran outreach. 

Another matter of concern to the Minority is the precedent being 

set in H.R. 1900 to confer a ‘‘national’’ designation on an effort to 

honor and memorialize veterans. The Minority feels it is important 

to emphasize that clear guardrails should be in place to guide future efforts to receive this designation. Therefore, at the Full Committee mark up on November 2, 2017, the Ranking Member offered 

an alternative which required much greater specificity in the required report. This alternative failed. Therefore, the Minority further appreciates that the Chairman has agreed to add additional 

language in a manager’s amendment as the legislation moves to 

the House Floor which allows Congress to remove the designation 

should it find the information in the report to be insufficient. 

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The Minority believes that with the addition of this provision, 

the Committee will have done its due diligence before recommending to the House that it confer this national designation, and 

that it has put in place the necessary guardrails to ensure that the 

museum and memorial being built in Columbus, Ohio will truly be 

The National Veterans Museum and Memorial. 

TIMOTHY J. WALZ. 

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