Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition.
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This resolution authorizes the National Fraternal Order of Police to hold two annual events on the Capitol Grounds in May 2026: the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The resolution permits the National Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary to sponsor two public events on the Capitol Grounds: the 45th Annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 2025, and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition. It sets the events for May 15 and May 14, 2026, respectively, unless the Speaker of the House and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration jointly designate alternate dates, and it allows sponsors to erect a stage and sound equipment with the Architect of the Capitol's approval. The events must be free and open to the public, arranged so as not to interfere with congressional business, and the sponsors must bear all associated expenses and liabilities. The Capitol Police Board is directed to enforce existing restrictions on sales, advertising, and solicitation on the Capitol Grounds during the events.
Key provisions
- 1Authorizes the National Fraternal Order of Police to hold the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on the Capitol Grounds on May 15, 2026, or an alternate jointly designated date
- 2Authorizes the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition on the Capitol Grounds on May 14, 2026, or an alternate jointly designated date
- 3Requires the events be free, open to the public, and arranged not to interfere with congressional needs, with sponsors bearing all expenses and liabilities
- 4Allows sponsors, with Architect of the Capitol approval, to erect a stage, sound equipment, and related structures for the events
- 5Directs the Capitol Police Board to enforce restrictions on sales, advertisements, and solicitations on the Capitol Grounds during the events
Who would be affected
The National Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary as event sponsors, law enforcement officers and their families attending the memorial service, members of the public who attend, and Capitol facilities staff including the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board.
Why it matters
The resolution allows a long-running annual tradition honoring fallen officers to continue on Capitol Grounds, giving law enforcement families and colleagues a national venue for remembrance while ensuring the events don't disrupt congressional operations and impose no cost on Congress.
What would change
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, with preparation beginning May 7 and takedown by May 17
- National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates that H. Con. Res. 73 would have no cost to the federal government, with zero effect on direct spending, revenues, or the deficit in 2026, 2026–2031, or 2026–2036.
CBO estimates that implementing H. Con. Res. 73 would result in no cost to the federal government. The resolution authorizes the Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary to use the Capitol grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition on May 15, 2026, but requires the sponsors to assume all expenses and liabilities associated with the event. Direct spending, revenues, and the deficit are each estimated at zero across all scoring windows (2026, 2026–2031, and 2026–2036), and CBO identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Official CRS summary
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This concurrent resolution authorizes the National Fraternal Order of Police to sponsor two public events on Capitol grounds: the 45th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service (on May 15, 2026) and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition (on May 14, 2026). The concurrent resolution also authorizes the Speaker of the House and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate to jointly designate alternate dates.
Legislative subjects
Commemorative events and holidays; Congress; Government buildings, facilities, and property; Law enforcement officers; Monuments and memorials; Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers; Music; U.S. Capitol
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-544