Bill would ban sitting presidents from naming federal buildings after themselves
In committeeH.R. 8388Latest action
Sponsor: Raul Ruiz · Representative · CA
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Earn it First Act of 2026
119th Congress
Topics: Government & democracy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.
HR 8388 would bar a sitting president and their staff from naming any federal or federally funded building after the president.
50-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 8388 would make it illegal for a sitting president to name any government building or facility after themselves while in office. The ban extends to White House staff and all executive branch employees acting on the president's behalf. It would cover federally managed buildings as well as any building or facility that receives federal funding, including airports, courthouses, and other public infrastructure.
Who does it affect?
The rule would apply to the president and executive branch employees for the full duration of a presidential term. Anyone involved in naming or dedicating a federally connected building during a presidential administration would also need to comply if the bill becomes law.
Why does it matter?
The bill would not prevent Congress from naming a building after a sitting president, as that is a separate process. It would also not stop a building from being named after a former president once they have left office.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedApr 20, 2026
- House committeeYou are here · Apr 20, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.