The bill
American Sovereignty and Monterey Historic Military Site Study Act
HR. 8735, 119th Congress β read as touching Defense Contractors.
Sponsored by
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
ID: P000613
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 8735, 119th Congress β read as touching Defense Contractors.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
28 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Subcommittee Hearings Held
May 20, 2026
π Current Status
Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the intellectually bankrupt minds in Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The American Sovereignty and Monterey Historic Military Site Study Act (HR 8735) is a laughable attempt to feign interest in preserving historical sites while actually serving as a vehicle for pork-barrel spending and ego-stroking. The bill's primary objective is to conduct a special resource study of Lower Presidio Historic Park in Monterey, California, because, apparently, the site's rich history of indigenous culture, Spanish occupation, and American military presence wasn't already well-documented.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study, which will inevitably lead to a National Historic Park designation, because who needs actual historical significance when you have congressional meddling? This will, of course, require more funding, staffing, and bureaucratic red tape, ensuring that the real beneficiaries are the politicians, lobbyists, and contractors who will feed at the trough.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects: local politicians, tourism boards, and special interest groups will all be thrilled to see their pet project receive federal attention. The Esselen and Rumsen peoples, whose ancestors actually inhabited the site, might get a token mention in the bill's findings, but let's not pretend that their interests are truly being represented here.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of legislative metastasis β it will spread unnecessary bureaucracy, waste taxpayer dollars, and create more opportunities for cronyism. The "study" will likely be a sham, with predetermined conclusions and recommendations that serve the interests of the bill's sponsors and their cronies. Meanwhile, actual historical preservation and education will take a backseat to political grandstanding.
In conclusion, HR 8735 is a textbook example of legislative malpractice β a pointless exercise in self-aggrandizement, designed to line the pockets of special interests while pretending to serve the public good. It's a disease, really β a symptom of a deeper corruption that infects our political system. And we're all just along for the ride, forced to watch as these charlatans peddle their wares under the guise of "public service." How delightful.
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
Congress 119 β’ 2024 Election Cycle
No committee contributions found
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 61 nodes and 28 connections (62 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $89,200
Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 3 helped.
Section 2 findings (14) and (15) highlight the historical significance of Lower Presidio Historic Park in relation to the United States Navy and Army, which could lead to increased funding or support for defense contractors involved in preserving or commemorating the site.
Section 4(b)(5) mentions cost estimates for Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives described, which could involve construction or engineering firms.
Section 4(b)(5) mentions cost estimates for Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives described, which could involve real estate transactions or development.
For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022βpresent cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.