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H.R.4973 / 110th Congress

To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide criminal penalties for the destruction of memorials, headstones, markers, and graves commemorating persons serving in the Armed Forces on private property.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 15, 2008

Amends the federal criminal code to modify the prohibition against destruction of veterans' memorials to include destruction of the grave, headstone, or marker of any person in the Armed Forces and to extend such prohibition to memorials, graves, headstones, or markers on private as well as public property.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Poe, Ted [R-TX-2] · R–TX

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Nov 30, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4973 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4973 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4973 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4973 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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