WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

S. 603 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-115

A bill to designate the General George C. Marshall House, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, as an affiliated area of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

Became lawPublic Lands and Natural Resources
IntroducedFeb 13, 2025
Passed SenateMay 20, 2026
Passed HouseSep 14, 2026
To PresidentSep 22, 2026
Became lawSep 25, 2026

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

S. 603 doesn't change any existing section of law. It created 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text in its final form, as sent to the President.

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 1 Establishment of the General George C. Marshall House as an affiliated area
What the words changed: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what was struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    This bill establishes the General George C. Marshall House in Leesburg, Virginia, as an affiliated area of the National Park System to promote public appreciation of the historic contributions made by George Catlett Marshall, Jr. (George Catlett Marshall, Jr. served as Army Chief of Staff during World War II, and later as Secretary of State, president of the American Red Cross, and Secretary of Defense.)

    The bill designates the George C. Marshall International Center as the management entity for the affiliated area. The Department of the Interior must enter into an agreement with the center that describes the roles and responsibilities for management of the affiliated area. Further, Interior may provide technical assistance and enter into cooperative agreements with the center for the purpose of providing financial assistance for the marketing, marking, interpretation, and preservation of the affiliated area.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Passed Senate, May 20, 2026).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. 2026-09-25Became Public Law No: 119-115.Library of Congress
    2. 2026-09-25Became Public Law No: 119-115.Library of Congress
    3. 2026-09-25Signed by President.Library of Congress
    4. 2026-09-25Signed by President.Library of Congress
    5. 2026-09-22Presented to President.House floor actions
    6. 2026-09-22Presented to President.Library of Congress
    7. 2026-09-14Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
    8. 2026-09-14On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5581)House floor actions
    9. 2026-09-14Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5581)Library of Congress
    10. 2026-09-14DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 603.House floor actions
    11. 2026-09-14Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5581-5582)House floor actions
    12. 2026-09-14Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
    13. 2026-05-20Held at the desk.House floor actions
    14. 2026-05-20Received in the House.House floor actions
    15. 2026-05-20Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
    16. 2026-05-20Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2387; text: CR S2387)Senate
    17. 2026-05-20Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
    18. 2026-05-20Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.Senate
    19. 2026-05-20Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
    20. 2025-02-13Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Senate
    21. 2025-02-13Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

    Show key steps only

    After it became law

    Sourced

    Nothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-115 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.

    Cosponsors

    • Mark R. Warner D-VA