H.R. 4845: To designate the National Memorial Day Parade, and for other purposes.
Sponsor
Jake Ellzey
Republican · TX-6
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Aug 1, 2025
Referred to Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review
Why it matters
Congress is moving to formally recognize a Washington, DC, event that already reaches over 100 million homes and could receive direct Department of Defense support.
H.R. 4845 is a short but symbolic bill with a practical military-support piece. It formally designates the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC, as the “National Memorial Day Parade,” giving federal recognition to an event lawmakers describe as the largest Memorial Day event in the United States.
The bill leans heavily on the parade’s history and reach. Its findings say President Franklin D. Roosevelt and General George Marshall reviewed a National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC, on May 30, 1942. It also says the event was not renewed for 62 years after that, until the American Veterans Center resumed the National Memorial Day Parade on May 31, 2004.
Lawmakers also stress the scale of the event. According to the bill, it draws hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators to Washington, DC, is broadcast to over 100 million homes nationwide, and is carried worldwide on the American Forces Network. The parade includes historical re-enactors, veterans, active-duty personnel, and musical performers, and it is staged live on Constitution Avenue and from historic sites around the country.
The bill’s operational piece gives the Secretary of Defense discretion to provide support for a parade in the District of Columbia that honors American veterans, including veterans of past wars. That support can include units of the active and reserve components of the Armed Forces, along with Federal funds for the display of small arms and munitions used for “customary ceremonial honors.” The bill does not require support, set a dollar cap, or create a deadline; it leaves the decision to the Secretary of Defense.
What does H.R. 4845 do?
Official federal designation for DC parade
The bill formally designates the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC, as the “National Memorial Day Parade,” giving official status to the event held in the District of Columbia.
Ties today’s event to May 30, 1942
Congress states that President Franklin D. Roosevelt and General George Marshall reviewed a National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC, on May 30, 1942, framing the modern parade as part of a longer national tradition.
Recognizes 62-year break, 2004 restart
The findings say the parade was not renewed for 62 years after the 1942 event and was resumed by the American Veterans Center on May 31, 2004.
Highlights audience of 100 million-plus homes
The bill describes the parade as the largest Memorial Day event in the United States, drawing hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators to Washington, DC, while being broadcast to over 100 million homes nationwide and worldwide on the American Forces Network.
Defense Secretary may provide military support
The Secretary of Defense is authorized to support a parade in the District of Columbia honoring American veterans, including veterans of past wars, and may use units of the active and reserve components of the Armed Forces if the Secretary decides that support is appropriate.
Federal funds allowed for ceremonial weapons displays
The bill permits the Secretary of Defense to use Federal funds for the display of small arms and munitions for “customary ceremonial honors,” but it does not specify a dollar amount or cap.
Who benefits from H.R. 4845?
Veterans, including veterans of past wars
They gain a nationally recognized event in Washington, DC, specifically described in the bill as honoring American veterans, including veterans of past wars, with possible Department of Defense support.
American Veterans Center
The organization that resumed the parade on May 31, 2004, gets congressional recognition of the event it revived after a 62-year gap.
Active-duty and reserve military units
Units of the active and reserve components of the Armed Forces may be used in support of the parade, creating an official role for service members in a high-profile event broadcast to over 100 million homes.
Viewers and attendees nationwide
Hundreds of thousands of spectators in Washington, DC, and viewers in over 100 million homes nationwide, plus audiences reached worldwide on the American Forces Network, benefit from a federally recognized Memorial Day event.
Who is affected by H.R. 4845?
Secretary of Defense
The Secretary receives discretionary authority to decide whether support for a parade in the District of Columbia is appropriate and what level of personnel or ceremonial support to provide.
Department of Defense
The department could commit active and reserve component units and use Federal funds for displays of small arms and munitions for “customary ceremonial honors,” even though the bill sets no specific funding amount.
Washington, DC, event planners and local officials
They may coordinate a parade that the bill says draws hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators to Constitution Avenue and includes live elements from historic sites around the country.
Historical re-enactors, veterans, and musical performers
These participants are specifically identified in the bill as part of the parade’s content and could be part of a more formally recognized national event.
H.R. 4845 Common Questions
How many homes does the National Memorial Day Parade reach on TV?
According to H.R. 4845 Section 1(a), the parade is broadcast to over 100 million homes nationwide and worldwide on the American Forces Network.
Can the Department of Defense fund ceremonial weapons displays for the Memorial Day parade in DC?
Yes. Under H.R. 4845 Section 1(c), the Secretary of Defense may use Federal funds for the display of small arms and munitions for customary ceremonial honors.
Can active-duty troops and reserve units participate in the National Memorial Day Parade under federal law?
Yes. According to H.R. 4845 Section 1(c), the Defense Secretary may use units of the active and reserve components of the Armed Forces to support the parade.
Is there a spending cap in H.R. 4845 for Defense Department support of the Memorial Day parade?
No specific cap appears in H.R. 4845. Section 1(c) authorizes support and Federal funding for ceremonial honors, but does not set a dollar limit.
What are the exact dates tied to the National Memorial Day Parade's history in the bill?
Under H.R. 4845 Section 1(a), Roosevelt and Marshall reviewed a parade on May 30, 1942, and the American Veterans Center resumed it on May 31, 2004.
How long was the National Memorial Day Parade discontinued before it returned?
According to H.R. 4845 Section 1(a), the parade was not held for 62 years after the 1942 event before being resumed in 2004.
Does H.R. 4845 officially name the Washington DC event the National Memorial Day Parade?
Yes. Under H.R. 4845 Section 1(b), the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC, is officially designated as the "National Memorial Day Parade."
Does the bill require the Defense Secretary to support the Memorial Day parade in Washington, DC?
No. According to H.R. 4845 Section 1(c), support is discretionary and provided only if the Secretary of Defense determines it is appropriate.
Which groups are specifically described as participating in the National Memorial Day Parade?
H.R. 4845 Section 1(a) says the parade features historical re-enactors, veterans, active-duty personnel, and musical performers.
Where does the bill say the National Memorial Day Parade takes place?
Under H.R. 4845 Section 1(a), the parade takes place on Constitution Avenue and at historic sites around the country.
Based on H.R. 4845 bill text
HR4845 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Aug 1, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
About the Sponsor
Jake Ellzey
Republican, Texas's 6th congressional district · 5 years in Congress
Committees: Small Business, Appropriations
View full profile →
Committee Sponsors
Armed Services Committee
0 of 57 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Oversight and Government Reform Committee
0 of 46 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
50 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 4845 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Armed Services
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Introduced
- Aug 1, 2025
Referred to Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review
Aug 1, 2025
Official Sources
Official Congress.gov page for H.R. 4845 with bill status, text, and actions.
The bill gives the Secretary of Defense discretion to support the parade, so the Defense Department is the primary federal agency involved.
The bill authorizes use of active-duty and reserve Armed Forces units in supporting the parade.
The bill is centered on honoring fallen service members and veterans through a nationally recognized Memorial Day parade.
Provides official federal background on Memorial Day observances and remembrance of fallen service members.
Related Congress.gov legislation on honoring fallen heroes and commemorative observances may provide official context for this parade-designation bill.
H.R. 4845 Bill Text
“To designate the National Memorial Day Parade, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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