119-SJRES-105 Journalist Public Summary
119 · SJRES 105 A joint resolution redesignating the Robert E. Lee Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery as the "Arlington House National Historic Site".
A new Senate resolution would rename “Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial” to “Arlington House National Historic Site,” update federal references, and repeal mid‑20th‑century laws that dedicated the site to Lee. It’s been introduced and sent to the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee. (congress.gov)
Public Summary
Headline Summary: Rename the Robert E. Lee–branded site at Arlington House to “Arlington House National Historic Site,” and scrub older federal references that memorialize Lee. (congress.gov)
What It Does: The resolution changes the site’s official name, directs all federal references to use the new name, and repeals the 1955 and 1972 laws that had dedicated the property as a memorial to Robert E. Lee. In plain terms: it removes Lee’s name from the title while keeping the house as a National Park Service historic site. (congress.gov)
- Sen. Tim Kaine (D–VA), the sponsor, who has previously pushed the same change, citing requests from descendants of people enslaved at Arlington House and arguing the site should use its historic name. (congress.gov)
- House allies: Rep. Don Beyer (D–VA) leads the companion measure (H.J.Res. 63), which has drawn over 100 cosponsors, signaling notable support in the House. (congress.gov)
- Department of the Interior: In testimony on a similar Senate resolution, Interior said the renaming aligns with NPS efforts to tell the full history of the site (and suggested a technical title fix). (doi.gov)
Who’s For It:
- Some Republicans and heritage groups have opposed related efforts to remove or rename Confederate commemorations at Arlington, arguing that doing so erases history; those themes could surface here. (apnews.com)
- Recent congressional fights over reinstating the Arlington Confederate memorial show organized political support for preserving Confederate symbols, suggesting potential resistance to stripping Lee’s name from federal sites. (businessinsider.com)
Who’s Against It:
What’s Next: As of February 6, 2026, the resolution has been read twice and sent to the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee. A House companion has been sitting in the Veterans’ Affairs and Armed Services Committees since February 27, 2025. For the change to take effect, identical text must pass both chambers and be signed by the President. (congress.gov)
Discussion