HR-9902-119
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsored by Bill Foster (D-IL)
What it does
This bill would prohibit naming, renaming, or designating any federal building, facility, or program after a living elected official or political appointee while they hold office and for 10 years after they leave office. That waiting period would be extended indefinitely for any former official who earns more than $1 million per year from commercial use of their name, image, or likeness. The bill exempts deceased individuals, namings that occurred before the bill's enactment, and incidental historical or educational references. Each federal agency's Inspector General would be responsible for investigating complaints and reporting findings to agency leadership and Congress within 90 days.
Who benefits
The general public, who supporters argue would benefit from reduced perception of self-dealing in government. Taxpayers who prefer federal assets not be used to promote officials who profit commercially from their public profile. Future Congresses and administrations, who would retain flexibility to name facilities after individuals with more historical distance. Historians and archivists, whose incidental use of officials' names in educational materials is explicitly protected.
Who is hurt
Current and former elected officials and political appointees who might otherwise be honored with a named federal building or program during or shortly after their tenure. Former officials who earn significant income from their name or likeness (e.g., through books, speaking fees, or brand licensing) and would face an indefinitely extended waiting period. Constituents or advocacy groups who wish to honor a living official they admire. Federal agencies, which would bear new administrative compliance and reporting burdens. Inspectors General offices, which would take on new investigative responsibilities.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that naming federal assets after officials who simultaneously profit commercially from their public identity creates a direct conflict of interest and blurs the line between public service and personal enrichment. They contend that a 10-year waiting period — extended for high-earning name-licensors — ensures that honors reflect lasting historical contribution rather than current political favor, consistent with longstanding norms in institutions like the U.S. Senate, which already prohibits naming buildings after sitting members. The Inspector General enforcement mechanism adds an independent check to prevent circumvention.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that Congress already controls federal naming through legislation and that this bill adds a rigid, one-size-fits-all restriction that could prevent timely recognition of genuine public service — for example, honoring a recently retired official whose contribution to a specific facility or program is directly relevant. They contend that the $1 million commercial-use threshold is arbitrary and could permanently bar recognition of officials who write memoirs or give paid speeches, activities that are legal and common, while doing little to address the underlying concern about conflicts of interest, which existing ethics laws already govern.
Constitutional context
No clear constitutional issue is raised by this bill. Congress has broad authority under the Property Clause (Art. IV, §3, cl. 2) and its general legislative powers to govern the naming and use of federal property and programs. The bill does not regulate private conduct or delegate significant rulemaking authority to agencies, so the major questions doctrine (West Virginia v. EPA, 2022) and post-Chevron scrutiny (Loper Bright, 2024) are not directly implicated.
Checks and balances
Congress retains naming authority through legislation; Inspectors General — independent watchdogs within the executive branch — are empowered to investigate violations and report to both agency heads and Congress, preserving legislative oversight.
Historical precedent
The U.S. Senate has a longstanding internal rule prohibiting the naming of Senate facilities after sitting members; this bill would extend a similar principle government-wide and codify it in statute.