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H.R. 7495 117th Congress House

Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park Act

Official title: To designate the Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park comprised of certain National Park System lands, and by affiliation and cooperative … Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To designate the Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park comprised of certain National Park System lands, and by affiliation and cooperative agreements other historically significant resources, located in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland, that were part of the Civil War defenses of Washington and related to the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864, to study ways in which the Civil War history of both the North and South can be assembled, arrayed, and conveyed for the benefit of the public, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 11, 2022 Introduced by: Eleanor Holmes Norton Democratic · District of Columbia See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources Conflicts and warsCongressional oversightDistrict of ColumbiaGovernment studies and investigations
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Historic sites and heritage areasMarylandMilitary historyParks, recreation areas, trailsU.S. historyVirginia
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 15, 2022
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
Apr 11, 2022
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Apr 11, 2022
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E377)
Apr 11, 2022
Introduced in House
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 Latest action April 15, 2022

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park Act

This bill designates as the Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park the defenses constructed at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861 as a ring of fortifications in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and northern Virginia to protect the nation's capital.

The park shall include all areas associated with the Civil War defenses of Washington currently owned by the federal government and under the administration of the National Park Service, including Battleground National Cemetery.

Certain eligible sites and certain additional sites associated with the Civil War defenses of Washington may become affiliated with the park pursuant to a cooperative agreement under this bill.

The Department of the Interior shall study and consider creative and cost-effective ways to facilitate how the storied history of the Civil War for both the North and the South, including the history of the defenses of Washington and the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864, can be assembled, arrayed, and conveyed for the benefit of the public.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 7495: Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-7495/
MLA
"H.R. 7495: Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-7495/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 7495, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-7495/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 7495: Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-7495/)
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