The U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 28 voted 407-0 to approve bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) to extend the authorization for the establishment of a monument in honor of Gold Star families at no cost to taxpayers.
Rep. Ratcliffe in May 2019 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Gold Star Mothers Families National Monument Extension Act, H.R. 2819, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) to allow more time for the families to ensure that the monument is constructed.
“Despite the polarized political climate in Washington, I’m grateful that honoring our fallen heroes and their families is an issue that my colleagues from across the entire political spectrum came together to support today,” Rep. Ratcliffe said last week.
The monument, which will be built in Washington, D.C., will be fully sponsored by the Gold Star Mothers National Monument Foundation, which honors the mothers whose sons and daughters have given their lives in the service of the country.
“I’m hopeful that the Senate will move swiftly to send this bill to President Trump’s desk, so we can help ensure that the Gold Star Families National Monument will be constructed and completed as a token of our nation’s gratitude for Gold Star families,” said Rep. Ratcliffe.
Among the 12 other members joining Rep. Ratcliffe as a cosponsor of H.R. 2819 is U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, which is already reviewing the companion bill, S. 1673, introduced in May 2019.