Constructing a National Desert Storm and Desert Shield War Memorial (H.R. 503)

What is H.R. 503?

(Updated March 25, 2018)

 The bill would create a national memorial honoring service members who served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The memorial would be built on federal lands within the District of Columbia. A site has yet to be selected. All funds for the memorial would be raised from private sources, and any leftover funds would be applied to maintenance of the memorial. 148 U.S. soliders died in action during the First Gulf War. 

Argument in favor

Honors those who fought--and in some cases died-- during Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. No cost to taxpayers.

Argument opposed

Celebrates a human rights nightmare that killed thousands of Iraqi civilians, including 408 in a single US bombing run.

Impact

The bill would impact the use of federal land in the District of Columbia.

Cost of H.R. 503

According to the Congressional Budgeting Office, the bill would have no net effect on the federal budget.

Additional Info

Of Note:

-The Senate companion bill is identical.

 Media:

Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) Press Release

National Desert Storm War Memorial Site 

NDSWM Facebook Page