SJRES-96-119
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sponsored by Shelley Capito (R-WV)
What it does
This joint resolution would request the Secretary of the Interior to authorize a one-time, temporary display of U.S. 250th anniversary materials — including artifacts, digital content, film footage, and projected imagery — on and around the National Mall and Washington Monument for five nights, from December 31, 2025 through January 5, 2026. It would also direct the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy of the resolution to the Secretary of the Interior and the Chair of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. The resolution is a request, not a mandate — it does not compel the Secretary of the Interior to act.
Who benefits
Visitors and tourists attending the National Mall events over the five-day period. Washington, D.C. area businesses — hotels, restaurants, transportation services — that would see increased foot traffic. The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, which gains a high-profile platform for its 250th anniversary programming. Event production companies, audiovisual vendors, and contractors hired to stage the displays. Residents of the D.C. metro area who attend at no cost. Americans broadly who follow the event through media coverage.
Who is hurt
National Mall regular users — joggers, tourists, and local residents — who may face temporary access restrictions during setup, display, and teardown. Nearby residents who may experience noise, light, and crowd disruption. Competing New Year's events in other cities that may lose national media attention. Federal park staff who would manage the event, potentially requiring overtime or reallocation of resources.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that the New Year's Eve 2025 transition marks the symbolic start of the United States' 250th anniversary year, making it an ideal moment for a nationally unifying celebration. They point to the successful 2019 Apollo 11 50th anniversary event on the National Mall — which drew over 500,000 attendees over five days — as direct evidence that this format works and generates broad public engagement. They contend the Washington Monument's central prominence and the Mall's open-access design make this a uniquely inclusive venue for all Americans regardless of income.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that a congressional resolution directing the use of a specific federal landmark for a specific event — even framed as a "request" — sets a precedent for legislative micromanagement of National Park Service operations that are normally handled through established administrative permitting processes. They contend that the five-night duration and scale of the proposed displays could cause wear on the National Mall grounds and the Washington Monument's surface, and that the costs of staging, security, and cleanup may not be fully accounted for in the resolution, which includes no appropriation.
Constitutional context
No significant constitutional issue is raised by this bill. Congress has broad authority over federal property under the Property Clause (Art. IV, §3, cl. 2), and a non-binding request to an executive branch official does not raise separation of powers concerns. The resolution does not compel agency action.
Checks and balances
The executive branch (Secretary of the Interior) retains full discretion, as the resolution is a request rather than a directive; Congress gains no new authority, and the Secretary may decline without legal consequence.
Historical precedent
Congress similarly encouraged nighttime lighting of Washington monuments during the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial celebrations, and the 2019 Apollo 11 50th anniversary event used the same Washington Monument projection format referenced in this resolution.