This breakdown was drafted by AI from the official documents and passed our automatic checks: every quoted word was found in its source, and every number comes from an official record. A person must review it before we mark it reviewed. Tap any small number to see the exact words a sentence rests on.
At a glance
Sourced- This bill names the post office at 1019 Avenue H in Fort Madison, Iowa, the Martin L. Graber Post Office.
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The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1019 Avenue H in Fort Madison, Iowa, shall be known and designated as the Martin L. Graber Post Office.
[4] Engrossed in House (April 14, 2026) · Sec. 1(a) - Graber served 32 years in the Iowa Army National Guard, rising to brigadier general, and later served in the Iowa House.
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For 32 years, Martin Graber rose through the ranks of the Iowa Army National Guard, rising to the rank of brigadier general.
[7] Congressional Record, House, April 14, 2026 (H2850-H2851) · H2850, Rep. Miller-Meekshe served in the Iowa State House
[7] Congressional Record, House, April 14, 2026 (H2850-H2851) · H2850, Rep. Miller-Meeks - The House passed it on April 14, 2026. It now waits for a vote in the full Senate.
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On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, April 14, 20262026-09-14 | Senate | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 604.
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, September 14, 2026 - Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa wrote it, and all three other Iowa House members cosponsored it.
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Sponsor: Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · SponsorCosponsors (3): Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4] (2025-07-23); Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2] (2025-07-23); Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3] (2025-07-25)
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Cosponsors
What it would mean for you
SourcedIf you live in or near Fort Madison
Your post office would carry a local name
- The building would be called the Martin L. Graber Post Office.
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The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1019 Avenue H in Fort Madison, Iowa, shall be known and designated as the Martin L. Graber Post Office.
[4] Engrossed in House (April 14, 2026) · Sec. 1(a) - Federal records and maps that mention it would use the new name.
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Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Martin L. Graber Post Office.
[4] Engrossed in House (April 14, 2026) · Sec. 1(b)
If you live in Iowa
Your whole House delegation is behind it
- Rep. Miller-Meeks wrote the bill. Reps. Feenstra, Hinson and Nunn cosponsored it.
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Sponsor: Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · SponsorCosponsors (3): Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4] (2025-07-23); Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2] (2025-07-23); Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3] (2025-07-25)
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Cosponsors - Graber also helped run the Tri-State Rodeo with his wife, Coni.
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he and his wife, Coni, were almost the sole organizers of the Tri-State Rodeo
[7] Congressional Record, House, April 14, 2026 (H2850-H2851) · H2850, Rep. Miller-Meeks
What this bill does not do
Sourced- It does not change the post office's services, hours or address.
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The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1019 Avenue H in Fort Madison, Iowa, shall be known and designated as the Martin L. Graber Post Office.
[4] Engrossed in House (April 14, 2026) · Sec. 1(a) - It does not cost much: CBO said naming each post office in its estimate would cost less than $500,000.
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CBO estimates that the cost of naming each of those facilities would be less than $500,000.
[6] CBO: H.R. 4707 and other post office naming bills (as ordered reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on December 2, 2025) · CBO estimate, Dec. 8, 2025
Current law vs. the bill
SourcedEvery place the bill changes existing law. On the left, the law as it stands today, quoted from the U.S. Code. On the right, the bill's words.
This bill does not change any existing section of law.
What the bill decides, and what it leaves to others
SourcedWritten into the bill
These take effect exactly as written.
- The address and the name are both set in the bill.
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The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1019 Avenue H in Fort Madison, Iowa, shall be known and designated as the Martin L. Graber Post Office.
[4] Engrossed in House (April 14, 2026) · Sec. 1(a)
Left to agencies or states
The real effect depends on rules someone else writes later.
- The Postal Service would update signs and records to match.
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Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Martin L. Graber Post Office.
[4] Engrossed in House (April 14, 2026) · Sec. 1(b)
Section by section
SourcedRead all 2 sections in plain words
- Sec. 1(a) The name
- Names the Fort Madison post office for Martin L. Graber.
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The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1019 Avenue H in Fort Madison, Iowa, shall be known and designated as the Martin L. Graber Post Office.
[4] Engrossed in House (April 14, 2026) · Sec. 1(a) - Sec. 1(b) Records
- Any federal record that refers to the building will be read as referring to the new name.
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Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Martin L. Graber Post Office.
[4] Engrossed in House (April 14, 2026) · Sec. 1(b)
What changed between versions
Sourced2 steps, from first draft to final text
From the House bill as introduced to the House-passed text
No changes to the wording.
From the House-passed text to the committee's version (Senate)
No changes to the wording.
Cost
Sourced- The Congressional Budget Office estimated that naming each post office in its review would cost less than $500,000.
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CBO estimates that the cost of naming each of those facilities would be less than $500,000.
[6] CBO: H.R. 4707 and other post office naming bills (as ordered reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on December 2, 2025) · CBO estimate, Dec. 8, 2025 - CBO found no requirements on state or local governments.
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Contains intergovernmental mandate? No
[6] CBO: H.R. 4707 and other post office naming bills (as ordered reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on December 2, 2025) · CBO estimate, Dec. 8, 2025
Analysis
AnalysisEvery bill gets the same five questions. Arguments are attributed to the people who made them, and each side gets about the same space.
Path to law
- Rep. Miller-Meeks introduced it on July 22, 2025.
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Sponsor: Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Sponsor2025-07-22 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, July 22, 2025 - The House Oversight Committee approved it 38 to 2 on December 2, 2025.
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2025-12-02 | House committee actions | Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 2.
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, December 2, 2025 - The House passed it by voice vote on April 14, 2026, under a fast-track rule.
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On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, April 14, 20262026-04-14 15:50:47 | House floor actions | Considered under suspension of the rules.
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, April 14, 2026 - A Senate committee approved it on August 6, 2026, and it is on the Senate's calendar.
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2026-04-15 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, April 15, 20262026-08-06 | Senate | Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, August 6, 20262026-09-14 | Senate | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 604.
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, September 14, 2026
Balance of power
- Republican Rep. Brandon Gill managed it on the floor, and Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam spoke in support.
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Mr. Gill (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, April 14, 2026I rise today also in support of H.R. 4707 to honor the life of Martin L. Graber
[7] Congressional Record, House, April 14, 2026 (H2850-H2851) · H2851, Rep. Subramanyam
Coalitions
- The committee vote was 38 to 2. The House passed it without a roll call, so no member-by-member list exists.
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2025-12-02 | House committee actions | Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 2.
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, December 2, 2025On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, April 14, 2026 - No member spoke against it.
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I rise today also in support of H.R. 4707 to honor the life of Martin L. Graber
[7] Congressional Record, House, April 14, 2026 (H2850-H2851) · H2851, Rep. Subramanyam
Precedent
- Congress routinely names post offices this way. CBO reviewed this one together with other naming bills.
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CBO estimates that the cost of naming each of those facilities would be less than $500,000.
[6] CBO: H.R. 4707 and other post office naming bills (as ordered reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on December 2, 2025) · CBO estimate, Dec. 8, 2025
The strongest case on each side
For
- Graber spent his life serving Iowa and the nation, and the name is a small but lasting thank-you from someone who worked with him.Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), sponsor
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Renaming the post office in Fort Madison in his honor is a small but everlasting gesture of appreciation
[7] Congressional Record, House, April 14, 2026 (H2850-H2851) · H2851, Rep. Miller-MeeksAs someone who had the blessing of working with Martin
[7] Congressional Record, House, April 14, 2026 (H2850-H2851) · H2851, Rep. Miller-Meeks
Against
- No one argued against it on the floor. Two committee members voted no, and the record we have gives no reason.House Oversight Committee record
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2025-12-02 | House committee actions | Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 2.
[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, December 2, 2025
Did this make sense?
SourcedThree quick questions. Your answers are anonymous and tell us which breakdowns need clearer writing.
How this was checked
Sourced3 checks
- Automatic: every quote matched its source; every number matched an official record.
- Senate committee version (reported Sept. 14, 2026): Same text as the House-passed bill.
- CBO estimate (Dec. 8, 2025): Hand-recorded excerpt; CBO's site blocks automatic download, so an editor must confirm it. CBO's later Senate-committee estimate was not retrieved.
Spot an error? See our corrections log and how to report one
Sources
SourcedAll 7 sources
- Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Official bill record · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
- Reported to Senate (September 14, 2026) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
- Referred in Senate (April 15, 2026) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
- Engrossed in House (April 14, 2026) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
- Introduced in House (July 23, 2025) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
- CBO: H.R. 4707 and other post office naming bills (as ordered reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on December 2, 2025) · Congressional Budget Office · retrieved Oct 28, 2026 · excerpts recorded by hand, awaiting confirmation
- Congressional Record, House, April 14, 2026 (H2850-H2851) · Congressional Record · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
Official summary
SourcedThis bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1019 Avenue H in Fort Madison, Iowa, as the "Martin L. Graber Post Office".
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jul 23, 2025).
What has happened
Sourced- Sep 14, 2026Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul without amendment. Without written report.Library of Congress
- Apr 14, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2850)Library of Congress
- Jul 22, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
Cosponsors
From Iowa
- Randy Feenstra R-IA-4
- Ashley Hinson R-IA-2
- Zachary Nunn R-IA-3