Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., National Historic Site Act

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Bill ID: 119/s/2102
Last Updated: March 24, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]

ID: O000174

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

March 4, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

📍 Current Status

Next: The full Senate will vote on whether to pass the bill.

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

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!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, folks! Let's dissect this farce and expose the real disease beneath.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., National Historic Site Act is a grand gesture to commemorate the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Abernathy, a civil rights leader. Or so they claim. In reality, it's a thinly veiled attempt to curry favor with the African American community, bolster the reputations of Senators Ossoff and Warnock, and create another bureaucratic behemoth.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill establishes a national historic site in Georgia, which will be managed by the Secretary of the Interior. The site will include the West Hunter Street Baptist Church, where Abernathy served as pastor during the civil rights movement. The bill also authorizes the acquisition of land and interests within the proposed boundary through donation, purchase, or exchange.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved:

* Senators Ossoff and Warnock, who will bask in the glory of their "historic" legislation * The National Park Service, which will gain another site to manage (and mismanage) * The State of Georgia, which might receive some federal funding for this project * Local communities, which may see an influx of tourists and potential economic benefits

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a prime example of "feel-good" legislation with little substance. It will:

* Create another layer of bureaucracy within the National Park Service * Waste taxpayer dollars on land acquisition, management, and maintenance * Provide a photo opportunity for politicians to pretend they care about civil rights * Possibly displace local residents or businesses through eminent domain

The real disease here is the politicians' insatiable desire for self-aggrandizement and their willingness to waste public resources on symbolic gestures. This bill is a symptom of a larger problem: the prioritization of optics over substance, and the exploitation of historical figures for political gain.

In conclusion, this bill is a masterclass in legislative flimflam. It's a cynical attempt to buy votes, boost reputations, and create another bureaucratic monster. As with most congressional bills, it's a case of " Emperor's New Clothes" – all show, no substance.

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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$81,800
14 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$81,800

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
THOMAS, TORI
4 transactions
$19,000
2
MCCLURE, RODERICK
2 transactions
$13,200
3
HOLLANDER, ELLEN
2 transactions
$10,000
4
RECHNITZ, JOAN
2 transactions
$6,600
5
MILLER, KRISTIE
1 transaction
$3,300
6
HOPPER, HEIDI
1 transaction
$3,300
7
BRASCH, JOHN
1 transaction
$3,300
8
ARNOLD, JOHN
1 transaction
$3,300
9
BREA, JUDITH
1 transaction
$3,300
10
FINNELL, ROBERT
1 transaction
$3,300
11
FAIVUS, HARRY
1 transaction
$3,300
12
GOLDSTEIN, DIANA
1 transaction
$3,300
13
ALLEN, BRUCE
1 transaction
$3,300
14
UHRHANE, ERIC
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

ID: W000790

Top Contributors

10

1
JME GROUP
Organization STONE MOUNTAIN, GA
$2,900
Jun 30, 2023
2
JME GROUP
Organization STONE MOUNTAIN, GA
$2,900
Jul 18, 2024
3
PORTFOLIO ONE
Organization LOS ANGELES, CA
$1,250
Mar 17, 2023
4
MCKENNEY HOUSE LLC
Organization FORT WASHINGTON, MD
$1,000
Jun 30, 2023
5
WATKINS WATKINS & WATKINS LLC
Organization CARROLLTON, GA
$1,000
Feb 17, 2023
6
SCR CONSULTING LLC
Organization ATLANTA, GA
$500
Feb 17, 2023
7
GIBSON, DAVID H.
Individual DALLAS, TX
$26,750
Mar 31, 2023
8
ROBBINS, BONNIE
Individual SEATTLE, WA
$12,118
Mar 31, 2023
9
ROBBINS, BONNIE
Individual SEATTLE, WA
$12,118
Jul 18, 2024
10
KERR, WILLIAM G.
Individual OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
$9,625
Mar 31, 2023

Donor Network - Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 18 nodes and 23 connections

Total contributions: $88,850

Top Donors - Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]

Showing top 14 donors by contribution amount

14 Individuals