Common Sense 250 Act of 2026

**Summary of H.R. 9600 – Common Sense 250 Act of 2026**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The primary purpose of H.R. 9600 is to bypass standard regulatory hurdles under the Commemorative Works Act (CWA) to authorize the placement of a commemorative work honoring Thomas Paine in a designated area of Washington, D.C. (Area I). While framed as a tribute to an “indispensable and unsung Founding Father,” the bill’s true function is procedural: it carves out a statutory exception to allow a specific monument to proceed without undergoing the full site approval, design review, and environmental assessment processes normally required for commemorative works on federal land. The objective is not historical preservation per se, but the efficient allocation of symbolic space in the nation’s capital to advance a particular ideological narrative—one that elevates Paine’s radical individualism and anti-institutional rhetoric, which aligns with libertarian and deregulatory ideals.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill amends the application of 40 U.S.C. § 8908(b)(1) of the Commemorative Works Act by declaring that, *notwithstanding* its requirements, the location of a commemorative work for Thomas Paine—previously authorized under Section 709 of Division DD of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023—is hereby approved for placement within Area I of the D.C. commemorative zone. This effectively nullifies the CWA’s mandate for site-specific approval by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), removing layers of oversight designed to prevent clutter, ensure aesthetic coherence, and maintain democratic deliberation in the use of public space. In essence, Congress is overriding expert administrative judgment via legislative fiat—a direct substitution of political preference for technocratic process.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Federal Agencies**: The NCPC and CFA lose discretionary authority over this specific siting decision, diminishing their role as stewards of the capital’s symbolic landscape. - **Private Monument Sponsors**: Likely beneficiaries include foundations or advocacy groups (possibly linked to libertarian or historical revisionist networks) seeking to install the Paine memorial without delay or public scrutiny. - **Taxpayers & Public**: Indirectly affected through the precedent set—each such exemption erodes the integrity of the commemorative approval process, increasing the risk of ideological capture of public space by well-connected interests. - **Historical & Civic Organizations**: May oppose the bill on grounds that it undermines consensus-based historical interpretation and privileges a selective, ideologically charged narrative of the Founding era.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** The broader implication of H.R. 9600 lies in its normalization of legislative workarounds to evade independent regulatory review. By approving a specific commemorative location through statute rather than administrative process, Congress signals that political convenience can override expert judgment and procedural fairness—a dangerous precedent for the depoliticization of public institutions. While the immediate cost is negligible, the long-term impact is the gradual privatization of symbolic governance: when Congress routinely intervenes to favor specific monuments, it opens the door for wealthy patrons to influence the national narrative through targeted legislative exemptions. This bill is not about Thomas Paine—it’s about testing the limits of congressional override in the cultural sphere, reinforcing the idea that democratic processes are impediments to be circumvented when they conflict with elite objectives. In the libertarian calculus, such efficiency is not a flaw—it is a feature.

Main Purpose & Objectives: This bill seeks to authorize the placement of a commemorative work honoring Thomas Paine in Washington, D.C., specifically within Area I of the National Mall and its environs. The primary objective is to recognize Paine’s foundational role in American independence and democratic thought—particularly through works like *Common Sense*—by approving a designated site for a memorial, despite standard procedural hurdles.

Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law: The bill invokes a legislative override of the Commemorative Works Act (40 U.S.C. § 8908(b)(1)), which normally imposes strict criteria and review processes for placing new memorials in the District of Columbia. By stating "notwithstanding the requirements," HR 9600 bypasses the usual site approval process administered by the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. It directly approves the location previously authorized under Section 709 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which had already designated Area I for a Thomas Paine commemorative work. The bill thus converts a prior authorization into a final, unimpeded approval for placement.

Affected Parties & Stakeholders: The bill affects federal agencies responsible for memorial approvals (National Park Service, National Capital Planning Commission, Commission of Fine Arts), which lose their discretionary review power in this instance. It benefits advocates for Thomas Paine’s legacy, including historical societies and educators seeking greater recognition of his contributions. The general public and visitors to the National Mall may eventually encounter the memorial, altering the symbolic landscape of the area. Taxpayers are indirectly affected, as federal funds or permitting processes may be involved in the work’s eventual construction and maintenance.

Potential Impact & Implications: If enacted, the bill sets a precedent for using targeted legislation to override standard commemorative review procedures, potentially encouraging similar bills for other figures or causes. It elevates Thomas Paine’s symbolic status in the nation’s civic landscape, addressing what supporters view as a historical oversight. However, it raises concerns about the erosion of consistent, merit-based standards for memorial placement, risking the politicization or cluttering of limited commemorative space. Long-term, it may contribute to ongoing debates about who is memorialized in federal spaces and how such decisions balance historical significance, public consensus, and procedural integrity.

**Summary of H.R. 9600: Common Sense 250 Act of 2026**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The primary purpose of H.R. 9600, the *Common Sense 250 Act of 2026*, is to authorize and approve the specific location for a commemorative work honoring Thomas Paine—described in the bill as “America’s indispensable and unsung Founding Father”—within the nation’s capital. The bill seeks to bypass standard procedural hurdles under the Commemorative Works Act (CWA) to expedite the placement of a monument or memorial recognizing Paine’s contributions to American independence and democratic ideals, particularly his influential pamphlet *Common Sense*, which galvanized public support for revolution in 1776. The timing of the bill—introduced in 2026—aligns with the 250th anniversary of *Common Sense*’s publication, suggesting a symbolic effort to commemorate this milestone through federal recognition.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill contains two core provisions: - It **notwithstands** (i.e., overrides) the requirements of 40 U.S.C. § 8908(b)(1) of the Commemorative Works Act, which normally mandates a rigorous review process by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) for any commemorative work in Area I of Washington, D.C. (the primary monumental core, including the National Mall and surrounding areas). - It **approves the specific location** for the Thomas Paine commemorative work within Area I, as defined by a 2003 map (Commemorative Areas Washington, DC and Environs, Map No. 869/86501 B), referencing prior authorization under Section 709 of Division DD of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. By doing so, the bill effectively **pre-approves the site selection**, removing a major bureaucratic obstacle and signaling congressional intent to fast-track the memorial’s realization.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Thomas Paine Legacy Advocates**: Historical societies, secular organizations, and progressive groups who have long argued for greater recognition of Paine’s role in founding-era discourse (e.g., the Thomas Paine National Historical Association). - **Federal Agencies**: The National Park Service (NPS), which manages most commemorative works on federal land, will now be directed to proceed with the memorial’s design and construction without needing to re-litigate location approval. The NCPC and CFA retain advisory roles on design but lose authority to challenge the site. - **Local DC Officials & Residents**: May have limited input, as the bill supersedes local planning considerations in favor of congressional directive. - **Taxpayers**: While the bill does not appropriate funds, it implies future federal or federally-assisted spending on the memorial’s development and maintenance. - **Commemorative Works Community**: Sets a precedent for using legislative overrides to site memorials in Area I, potentially encouraging similar bills for other figures.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** Symbolically, the bill elevates Thomas Paine to a tier of national recognition typically reserved for figures like Washington, Lincoln, or MLK—despite his controversial later years and marginalization in mainstream historiography due to his radical deism and advocacy for social welfare. This reflects a broader cultural effort to reclaim Paine as a foundational voice of American republicanism, secularism, and human rights.

Legally, the bill undermines the deliberative, consensus-based framework of the Commemorative Works Act by substituting congressional fiat for expert review. While efficient, this raises concerns about the politicization of memorialization and the erosion of independent aesthetic and spatial planning in the nation’s capital.

Practically, if enacted, the memorial could become a focal point for debates over liberty, religion’s role in public life, and the meaning of “common sense” in modern politics—ironically mirroring the very debates Paine himself ignited. Its presence in Area I would ensure

**Summary of H.R. 9600 – Common Sense 250 Act of 2026**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The primary purpose of H.R. 9600, the *Common Sense 250 Act of 2026*, is to authorize the placement of a commemorative work honoring Thomas Paine in Washington, D.C., specifically within Area I of the National Mall and its environs. The bill frames Paine as “America’s indispensable and unsung Founding Father,” emphasizing his ideological contributions—particularly through *Common Sense*—to the American Revolution. The stated objective is to rectify what supporters perceive as a historical oversight by enshrining Paine’s legacy in the nation’s commemorative landscape, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the publication of *Common Sense* in 1776.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill overrides specific procedural requirements of the Commemorative Works Act (40 U.S.C. § 8908(b)(1)), which normally governs the approval and siting of memorials on federal land in the District of Columbia. By invoking “notwithstanding,” H.R. 9600 exempts the Thomas Paine commemorative work from standard review processes, including site suitability evaluations and consultations with the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. Instead, it mandates that the memorial be located within Area I—a highly coveted zone near the Capitol and National Mall—based on a pre-existing authorization from Section 709 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. The bill does not appropriate funds but grants locational approval, leaving funding and design to private or public-private efforts.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** Key stakeholders include the National Park Service (which manages Area I), the National Capital Planning Commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, and private organizations advocating for the Thomas Paine memorial (such as the Thomas Paine National Historical Association). Federal agencies involved in commemorative approvals are bypassed in their advisory roles, potentially setting a precedent for legislative intervention in memorial siting. Taxpayers and D.C. residents may be indirectly affected if the memorial leads to increased maintenance costs or alters the spatial and symbolic character of the National Mall. Historians and civic groups may debate Paine’s elevated status, given his controversial later writings and limited direct role in governance.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** Symbolically, the bill elevates Thomas Paine to a tier of Founding Fathers traditionally reserved for figures like Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln, reinforcing a narrative that prioritizes revolutionary ideology over institutional governance. Legally, it raises concerns about the erosion of the Commemorative Works Act’s integrity, as Congress increasingly uses targeted legislation to circumvent consensus-based review processes. This could encourage similar bills for other figures, politicizing memorialization and undermining expert oversight. Culturally, a Paine memorial may spark public debate about his legacy—celebrated for inspiring revolution but criticized for his deism, radicalism, and later obscurity. Ultimately, while the bill appears narrow, its real significance lies in what it represents: a growing trend of using commemorative acts to shape national memory through legislative fiat rather than deliberative process.

**Summary of H.R. 9600: Common Sense 250 Act of 2026**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The primary purpose of H.R. 9600, the Common Sense 250 Act of 2026, is to approve the specific location for a commemorative work honoring Thomas Paine, recognized in the bill as “America’s indispensable and unsung Founding Father.” The legislation aims to facilitate the establishment of a memorial to Paine in Washington, D.C., coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the publication of his influential pamphlet *Common Sense* in 1776. By authorizing the placement of this commemorative work, the bill seeks to recognize Paine’s significant contributions to American independence and democratic ideals, which advocates argue have been historically underacknowledged compared to other Founding Fathers.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill contains two key operative provisions: - It **waives** the standard location approval requirements under Section 8908(b)(1) of Title 40, U.S.C. (the Commemorative Works Act), which normally requires a rigorous review process by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) for commemorative works in the District of Columbia. - It **approves** the placement of a commemorative work for Thomas Paine within **Area I** of the designated commemorative zone in Washington, D.C., as specified in a 2003 map (No. 869/86501 B). This area includes prime locations near the National Mall, such as west of the U.S. Capitol and south of the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor. The commemorative work itself was previously authorized by Section 709 of Division DD of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328), which permitted its establishment but left the exact site to be determined. H.R. 9600 resolves this by pre-approving the location within Area I.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Thomas Paine Memorial Foundation / Sponsors**: The private entity or group responsible for fundraising, designing, and constructing the memorial (as required under the Commemorative Works Act) is the primary beneficiary, gaining certainty about the memorial’s location. - **National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA)**: While their standard advisory role is bypassed for this specific siting decision, they may still be involved in design review. - **Federal Agencies (e.g., National Park Service)**: Likely responsible for long-term maintenance and management of the work once installed. - **Public and Historians**: Interested in how Paine’s legacy is represented in the nation’s commemorative landscape. - **Taxpayers**: Indirectly affected, as while the memorial is privately funded, federal oversight and potential future maintenance involve public resources.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** - **Symbolic and Educational Impact**: The memorial would elevate Thomas Paine’s visibility in the national narrative, emphasizing his role in inspiring revolutionary thought through *Common Sense* and *The Rights of Man*. It could stimulate public discourse about his often-overlooked contributions due to his later controversial views on religion and his international activism. - **Precedent for Legislative Siting**: By exempting this memorial from the standard location approval process, the bill sets a precedent for Congress to directly designate sites for commemorative works, potentially bypassing expert review bodies. This raises concerns about the politicization of memorial placement and the erosion of independent aesthetic and planning oversight in the nation’s capital. - **Commemorative Landscape**: Approval of a Paine memorial in Area I contributes to the ongoing effort to diversify the figures honored in Washington, D.C.’s monumental core, though it also intensifies competition for limited space in prestigious commemorative zones. - **Timing and Context**: Introduced in July 2026, the bill aligns with the nation’s semiquincentennial (2

**Summary of H.R. 9600: Common Sense 250 Act of 2026**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The primary purpose of the Common Sense 250 Act of 2026 is to authorize the placement of a commemorative work honoring Thomas Paine in Washington, D.C., specifically within Area I of the National Mall and its environs. Thomas Paine, though often overlooked in mainstream narratives of the American Founding, was a pivotal intellectual force behind the Revolution—author of *Common Sense* and *The American Crisis*, whose writings galvanized public support for independence. The bill seeks to rectify his historical under-recognition by approving a permanent memorial in a prominent federal commemorative zone, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the publication of *Common Sense* in 1776—a symbolic nod in the bill’s title.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill invokes an exception to the Commemorative Works Act (40 U.S.C. § 8908), which normally imposes strict criteria for placing new memorials in Area I (the most prestigious and limited space in D.C., reserved for events or individuals of lasting national significance). Section 2 of the bill explicitly states that, *notwithstanding* those requirements, the location for a Thomas Paine commemorative work—previously authorized under Section 709 of Division DD of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023—is approved and must be situated within Area I, as defined by the 2003 map “Commemorative Areas, Washington, DC and Environs” (Map No. 869/86501 B). In effect, this legislation bypasses the standard review process by the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, granting direct congressional approval for the site.

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Thomas Paine Legacy Advocates**: Historians, educators, and civic groups who have long argued for greater recognition of Paine’s role in shaping American democratic thought will see this as a long-overdue victory. - **National Park Service (NPS)**: As the manager of National Mall memorials, the NPS will oversee the design, construction, and maintenance of the new work once funded. - **Design and Art Communities**: Artists and architects may compete to design the memorial, sparking public discourse on how best to represent Paine’s ideals of reason, liberty, and human rights. - **Federal Agencies & Commissions**: While the bill overrides their typical advisory roles, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and National Capital Planning Commission may still be consulted in later stages, per standard practice. - **Taxpayers & Federal Budget**: Though the bill does not appropriate funds, it enables future fundraising and federal matching under existing commemorative work authorities.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** Symbolically, the approval of a Thomas Paine memorial in Area I elevates his status to that of other Founding Fathers like Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln—acknowledging not just his role in independence but his enduring influence on democratic theory, human rights, and freethought globally. It may inspire renewed public engagement with Paine’s writings, particularly in debates over liberty, equality, and civic responsibility.

Legally, the bill sets a precedent for using congressional action to site commemorative works in Area I despite standard regulatory hurdles—a move that could be replicated for other figures, potentially intensifying debates over who deserves memorialization in the nation’s most symbolic space.

Culturally, the memorial could serve as a focal point for discussions on dissent, free speech, and radical democracy—themes central to Paine’s legacy and increasingly relevant in contemporary discourse. While some may question whether Paine’s more controversial later works (like *The Age of Reason*) warrant such honor, the bill reflects a growing appreciation for his foundational role in shaping American ideals—proving that sometimes, the most revolutionary ideas come not from generals or presidents, but from a pamphleteer with a pen and a passion for common sense.

**Summary of H.R. 9600 – Common Sense 250 Act of 2026**

**1. Main Purpose & Objectives** The primary purpose of H.R. 9600 is to approve the specific location for a commemorative work honoring Thomas Paine within Area I of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The bill bypasses standard siting requirements under the Commemorative Works Act (CWA) to expedite the placement of a memorial recognizing Paine as “America’s indispensable and unsung Founding Father.” Introduced by Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Victoria Spartz (R-IN), the legislation coincides with the 250th anniversary of the publication of *Common Sense*, aiming to elevate Paine’s historical legacy in the nation’s capital.

**2. Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law** The bill invokes an exception to 40 U.S.C. § 8908(b)(1) of the Commemorative Works Act, which normally requires the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC) to review and approve the location of new commemorative works based on design, historical significance, and site suitability. H.R. 9600 overrides this process by legislatively approving the location previously authorized under Section 709 of Division DD of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328), which had already designated a site within Area I for a Thomas Paine memorial. The bill mandates that the commemorative work be situated within that approved Area I, as defined by the 2003 National Park Service map (869/86501 B).

**3. Affected Parties & Stakeholders** - **Thomas Paine Foundation / Memorial Sponsors**: The primary beneficiaries, as the bill clears the final regulatory hurdle for construction. - **National Park Service (NPS)**: Responsible for overseeing construction and long-term maintenance once the work is installed. - **National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC)**: Bypassed in its advisory role, though it may still be consulted on design. - **Public & Historical Societies**: Interested parties in how Founding Era figures are memorialized and whether the site choice reflects broad historical consensus. - **Area I Stakeholders**: Entities with interests in the Northwest quadrant of the Mall (near the Capitol), where limited space increases competition for memorial placement.

**4. Potential Impact & Implications** The bill sets a precedent for using legislative action to circumvent the CWA’s consensus-based review process, potentially encouraging similar site-specific bills for other historical figures. While it accelerates recognition of Thomas Paine—a figure influential in both the American and French Revolutions but often underrepresented in D.C.’s memorial landscape—it raises concerns about the politicization of memorial siting and the erosion of independent review. If constructed, the memorial could enhance public awareness of Paine’s contributions to democratic thought, particularly his advocacy for republicanism, human rights, and secular governance. However, critics may view the bypass of NCMAC as undermining the integrity of the commemorative process, especially if future bills favor politically connected sponsors over merit-based selection. The bipartisan sponsorship suggests broad appeal, but the long-term implication is a potential shift toward congressional micromanagement of the Nation’s Memorial Core.