Army Security Agency Monument Act
To direct the Secretary of the Army to place in Arlington National Cemetery a monument honoring Army Security Agency veterans of World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam Era, and the Cold War era, and for other purposes.
Introduced on 4/9/26
Overview
The Army Security Agency Monument Act authorizes the placement of a commemorative monument at Arlington National Cemetery to honor veterans of the Army Security Agency who served in the Armed Forces between 1945 and 1976. This legislation recognizes the contributions of Army Security Agency personnel during critical periods of American military history, including World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam era, and the Cold War era. The bill establishes a framework for collaboration between the Secretary of the Army and the National Army Security Agency Association to design, fund, and install the monument while ensuring that no federal funds are expended for this purpose. The monument serves as a permanent tribute to a specialized military intelligence unit whose contributions have historically received limited public recognition.
Core Provisions
The legislation mandates that the Secretary of the Army place a monument in Arlington National Cemetery honoring Army Security Agency veterans who served between 1945 and 1976, covering service during World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam era, and the Cold War era as defined in Section 101 of title 38, United States Code. The monument design requires joint approval by both the Secretary of the Army and the National Army Security Agency Association, ensuring collaborative decision-making between the government and the veterans' organization. The bill imposes specific physical constraints on the monument, limiting its base dimensions to 52 inches by 18 inches, and requires placement on a non-burial plot to preserve cemetery space for interments. A critical provision establishes that the Secretary may only proceed with monument placement if the National Army Security Agency Association agrees to bear all costs associated with site preparation, construction, installation, and ongoing maintenance. The legislation includes a contingency provision allowing for placement at a location outside the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery if the Secretary cannot identify an appropriate location within the cemetery grounds.
Key Points
- Monument must honor Army Security Agency veterans who served between 1945 and 1976 during World War II, Korean conflict, Vietnam era, and Cold War era
- Design requires approval by both Secretary of the Army and National Army Security Agency Association
- Monument limited to 52 inches by 18 inches in base dimensions
- Must be placed on non-burial plot within Arlington National Cemetery
- Alternative placement outside cemetery entrance if appropriate internal location cannot be identified
- Placement contingent on National Army Security Agency Association's agreement to pay all costs
Legal References
- Section 101 of title 38, United States Code (definition of covered service periods)
Implementation
The Secretary of the Army bears primary responsibility for implementing this legislation, including identifying an appropriate location within Arlington National Cemetery, approving the monument design, and overseeing the placement process. The National Army Security Agency Association functions as the implementing partner responsible for financing all aspects of the project. The Association must agree to pay costs for site preparation, construction, installation, and perpetual maintenance of the monument. The Secretary retains authority to impose additional provisions and requirements on the Association as conditions for monument placement. The bill establishes a private funding model that insulates the federal government from financial obligations while maintaining governmental control over design approval and site selection. No federal appropriations are authorized or required, and no reporting requirements or compliance deadlines are specified in the legislation. The Secretary's discretion in determining an appropriate location provides flexibility in implementation while the dimensional specifications and non-burial plot requirement establish clear parameters for the physical installation.
Impact
The primary beneficiaries of this legislation are Army Security Agency veterans who served between 1945 and 1976 and their families, who will receive formal recognition of their service through a permanent monument at one of the nation's most prestigious military cemeteries. The National Army Security Agency Association benefits by achieving its organizational goal of memorializing its members' contributions. The legislation imposes no costs on the federal government, as all expenses are borne by the private veterans' organization. Administrative burden on the Department of the Army is minimal, limited to design review, site selection, and coordination with the Association. Arlington National Cemetery experiences negligible impact given the monument's small footprint and placement on non-burial space. The expected outcome is enhanced public awareness of the Army Security Agency's historical role in military intelligence operations during pivotal conflicts of the twentieth century. No sunset provisions are included, making the monument a permanent installation. The legislation creates no ongoing federal obligations beyond the Secretary's initial approval and placement responsibilities.
Legal Framework
The constitutional basis for this legislation derives from Congress's authority under Article I, Section 8 to raise and support armies, make rules for the government and regulation of land and naval forces, and exercise exclusive legislation over federal property. The bill operates within the existing statutory framework governing Arlington National Cemetery, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army. The legislation references Section 101 of title 38, United States Code, to define the temporal scope of covered service periods, incorporating established definitions of World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam era, and the Cold War era. The bill does not create new regulatory requirements or amend existing statutes but rather authorizes a specific commemorative action within the Secretary of the Army's administrative authority. No preemption of state or local law occurs, as the legislation concerns federal property and federal military affairs exclusively. The bill does not establish explicit judicial review provisions, though the Secretary's actions would remain subject to general principles of administrative law and judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act for arbitrary or capricious decision-making.
Legal References
- U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8 (Congressional authority over armed forces and federal property)
- Section 101 of title 38, United States Code (definitions of service periods)
- Administrative Procedure Act (general judicial review framework)
Critical Issues
The legislation presents minimal constitutional concerns, as it falls squarely within Congress's enumerated powers over military affairs and federal property. The primary implementation challenge involves the subjective determination of an appropriate location within Arlington National Cemetery, which grants the Secretary of the Army broad discretion that could lead to disagreement with the National Army Security Agency Association. The contingency provision for placement outside the cemetery entrance may be viewed as a less prestigious alternative that could generate controversy among veterans if invoked. The requirement that the Association fund all costs, including perpetual maintenance, creates potential long-term financial obligations that could prove burdensome if the organization's resources diminish over time. The bill lacks enforcement mechanisms to ensure the Association fulfills its maintenance obligations in perpetuity, potentially leaving the federal government responsible for upkeep if the organization dissolves or defaults. The absence of a specific deadline for monument placement allows indefinite delay in implementation. The dimensional restrictions, while preserving cemetery space, may limit the monument's visibility and impact. Potential opposition could arise from those who believe Arlington National Cemetery should be reserved exclusively for burial purposes or who question whether the Army Security Agency's contributions warrant commemoration at this particular location. The lack of cost estimates or feasibility studies leaves uncertainty about the project's practical viability.