A bill to designate the outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia, as the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater".

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Bill ID: 119/s/815
Last Updated: April 12, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

ID: W000805

Follow the money

The bill

A bill to designate the outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia, as the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater".

S. 815, 119th Congress.

The sponsor

Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$81,600 raised

23 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

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 3, 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

(sigh) Oh, joy. Another thrilling episode of "Congressional Theater" for the masses. Let's dissect this masterpiece, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** (rolls eyes) The main purpose of S 815 is to... wait for it... rename an outdoor amphitheater in Galax, Virginia, after some guy named Rick Boucher. Wow, what a monumental achievement. I'm sure the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** (chuckles) Oh boy, this one's a doozy. The bill designates the outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center as the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater." That's it. No changes to existing law, no policy reforms, just a fancy new name for a building that probably needs a fresh coat of paint more than a congressional resolution.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** (sarcastic tone) Oh, this one's a real nail-biter. The affected parties are... (dramatic pause) ...the people who attend concerts at the amphitheater! And maybe, just maybe, Rick Boucher himself will get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that his name is now attached to a building. I'm sure the good people of Galax, Virginia, have been holding their collective breaths waiting for this momentous occasion.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** (deadpan) Well, let's think about it... Renaming an amphitheater will undoubtedly solve all of America's problems: poverty, inequality, climate change – you name it. I mean, who needs actual policy solutions when you can just slap a new label on something? The potential impact is staggering: increased tourism to Galax, Virginia (because everyone wants to visit the "Rick Boucher Amphitheater"), and a boost to local businesses selling commemorative t-shirts.

Diagnosis: This bill suffers from a bad case of "Legislative Narcissism" – a disease where politicians prioritize self-aggrandizement over actual governance. Symptoms include an inflated sense of importance, a complete lack of substance, and a desperate need for attention. Treatment involves a healthy dose of skepticism, a strong stomach, and a willingness to call out the emperor's new clothes.

In conclusion, S 815 is a masterclass in congressional navel-gazing. It's a pointless exercise in self-congratulation that accomplishes nothing except to waste taxpayer dollars on unnecessary paperwork. Bravo, Congress! You've managed to make the phrase "bureaucratic red tape" sound like an understatement.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$81,600
17 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$6,300
Committees
$0
Individuals
$75,300

No PAC contributions found

1
AMERICAN HEALTHCARE, LLC
1 transaction
$5,300
2
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
2 transactions
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
DEKKER, DAVID T.
1 transaction
$9,900
2
MATNEY, JOHN
2 transactions
$6,600
3
MATNEY, JUSTIN K
2 transactions
$6,600
4
GUND, LOUISE L.
2 transactions
$6,600
5
CARROLL, RICHARD
2 transactions
$6,600
6
STACY, CLYDE E
2 transactions
$6,600
7
TULL, THOMAS
1 transaction
$6,000
8
SWARTZ, SUSAN
1 transaction
$3,300
9
MILLONES, PETER
1 transaction
$3,300
10
BRODY, SARAH
1 transaction
$3,300
11
BERNSTEIN, JAY
1 transaction
$3,300
12
SWARTZ, JAMES R.
1 transaction
$3,300
13
BERNSTEIN, ALISON
1 transaction
$3,300
14
HOLLAND, BRIAN K.
1 transaction
$3,300
15
LARGE, KEVIN
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

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

Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

ID: K000384

Top Contributors

10

1
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$2,300
Jun 18, 2024
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$1,000
Jun 26, 2023
3
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$1,000
Jun 18, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 25, 2024
5
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$1,000
Jun 18, 2024
6
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$1,000
Oct 15, 2024
7
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Dec 29, 2023
8
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$600
Oct 25, 2023
9
STONEHALL FARM
OrganizationTHE PLAINS, VA
$500
Jun 30, 2024
10
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$400
Oct 25, 2023

Donor Network - Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

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Showing 34 nodes and 26 connections (38 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $85,900

Top Donors - Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

Showing top 17 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs15 Individuals

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