In an extraordinarily bipartisan act, a highly unusual occurrence under normal circumstances and almost unheard of since 2016, The House of Representatives has passed the Free Veterans from Fees Act, or H.R. 1029, near-unanimously (421-3). While outwardly this bill would seem non-controversial, it surprisingly enables veterans’ demonstrations and special events at war memorials under the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. Demonstrations by American veterans, who tend to be extremely patriotic… and vote overwhelmingly for Republicans… and for President Trump. Did the Democrats miss the memo on this one? Or, more likely, they just didn’t want to vote against a pro-veteran bill right before a mid-term? Either way, it is now far less difficult and expensive for our veterans to demonstrate and hold ceremonies at our nation’s most important memorials in Washington no longer burdened by excessive fees.
The bill’s sponsor Congressman Greg Steube (R-FL) said in a statement,
“Our nation’s veterans paid more than their fair share through their service to our nation and should no longer be subject to the burdensome administrative fees to visit military memorials or go on their own Honor Flights,” Steube said. “Though we will never be able to fully repay these heroes, this legislation is a small step to properly honor their sacrifice, patriotism, and bravery.”
I'm honored the House passed my legislation, the Free Veterans From Fees Act, to waive burdensome fees for veterans visiting military memorials. This is a small step to repay our nation's heroes for their sacrifice, patriotism, and bravery.https://t.co/chPzIPnuC3
— Congressman Greg Steube (@RepGregSteube) October 20, 2021
Veterans Will No Longer Be Burdened With Heavy Fees To Demonstrate In DC
Given the huge number of veterans who took part in 2021’s Justice for J6 rally as well as the Save America Rally one year prior, the new law could conceivably make organizing similarly patriotic displays from our veterans significantly easier, which gives a bit of pause as to why Democrats would support such a bill. However, the law itself reveals that the terms are a bit more restrictive.
The Bill reads: “The application fee for any special use permit solely for a veterans’ special event at war memorials on land administered by the National Park Service in the District of Columbia and its environs shall be waived.” However, it set’s the caveat that a “veteran’s special event”, “means a special event of which the majority of attendees are veterans or Gold Star Families.” So plainly this wouldn’t apply to an event organized for “anyone” but when you think about it, how could organizers realistically prevent thousands of conservatives from turning out to support such a “veteran’s special event” which could serve as the nucleus of a greater demonstration and event. This step was extraordinarily well played by the House GOP and will enable more patriotic demonstrations can take place in DC.
