Overview
Title
An Act To designate the checkpoint of the United States Border Patrol located on United States Highway 90 West in Uvalde County, Texas, as the James R. Dominguez Border Patrol Checkpoint.
ELI5 AI
The bill H.R. 5799 wants to name a special place where U.S. border agents work in Texas after a brave agent named James R. Dominguez, who sadly died in 2012 while helping out on the highway.
Summary AI
H.R. 5799 seeks to officially name the Border Patrol checkpoint on United States Highway 90 West in Uvalde County, Texas, as the "James R. Dominguez Border Patrol Checkpoint." This designation honors Agent James R. Dominguez, a San Antonio native and U.S. Border Patrol Agent, who tragically lost his life in 2012 while clearing debris from a highway. The bill recognizes his over 12 years of service and ensures that all future references to this checkpoint will bear his name. The House of Representatives passed the bill on May 21, 2024.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The bill, titled the "James R. Dominguez Memorial Act of 2023," intends to honor the late Border Patrol Agent James R. Dominguez by renaming a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint in Uvalde County, Texas, after him. Agent Dominguez served with distinction for over 12 years and was tragically killed in the line of duty in 2012. The bill is straightforward in its purpose, aiming to commemorate his service by formally designating the checkpoint on United States Highway 90 West as the "James R. Dominguez Border Patrol Checkpoint."
Summary of Significant Issues
The bill is primarily symbolic and commemorative, focusing on renaming a checkpoint rather than enacting new policies or allocating funds. However, some issues arise regarding its procedural and legislative clarity:
Lack of Detail: The bill is brief and lacks substantive legislative content or provisions that might otherwise provide more context or implications of the renaming.
Commemorative Nature: Section 2 reads more like a tribute to Agent Dominguez rather than providing a substantive legislative finding, creating potential ambiguity about its practical implications.
Insufficient Context for Oversight: The brevity and symbolic nature of the bill limit public understanding and complicate any evaluation of its broader ramifications or whether it might inadvertently involve any misaligned priorities or favoritism.
Public Impact
For the general public, the bill serves as a recognition of public service and sacrifice. Renaming the checkpoint may not have direct, immediate effects on the community or the public at large beyond honoring an individual's contributions. This kind of legislative action might bolster public appreciation for federal and law enforcement employees' dedication and sacrifices.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Several stakeholders could experience the impact of this bill, both positively and negatively:
Family and Colleagues of Agent Dominguez: The bill may offer solace and recognition for Agent Dominguez's family and colleagues by acknowledging his service and sacrifice.
Local Community: Residents of Uvalde County and users of Highway 90 may feel a sense of pride or increased awareness of local and national law enforcement's role and risks.
U.S. Border Patrol: The agency could see this act as a boost to morale, demonstrating governmental acknowledgment and honor for its officers.
Conversely, the bill’s symbolic nature, without addressing operational or procedural aspects of the checkpoint’s function or funding, may offer limited tangible benefits. Additionally, prioritizing commemorative actions might face scrutiny if other pressing legislative issues require more immediate attention or resources.
In conclusion, while the "James R. Dominguez Memorial Act of 2023" serves a significant symbolic purpose, it provides limited legislative substance or practical provisions. Balancing such commemorative acts with other legislative priorities could be a consideration for lawmakers and the public alike.
Issues
The Act's Section 1 only includes the short title, 'James R. Dominguez Memorial Act of 2023,' and lacks detailed information or context to evaluate the implications, provisions, or any potential favoritism, limiting public understanding and oversight.
Section 2's findings read more as a commemorative tribute to Agent James R. Dominguez, without specificity regarding its legislative purpose, potentially causing ambiguity about its legal or practical implications, which could be significant given the bill's policy context.
The bill lacks detailed legislative content and substantive provisions across all sections, limiting the ability to evaluate it for potential issues like wasteful spending or the effects of the designation, which could be of interest to the public concerned with how funds and resources are allocated.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the Act gives it the official short title, which is the "James R. Dominguez Memorial Act of 2023".
2. Findings Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Congress recognizes that Agent James R. Dominguez, originally from San Antonio, Texas, served honorably for over 12 years with the U.S. Border Patrol. While serving at the Uvalde Station, he was tragically killed on July 19, 2012, after stopping to remove road debris, and he leaves behind a wife and four children.
3. Designation Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In this section, it is stated that the United States Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 90 West in Uvalde County, Texas, will now be officially named the "James R. Dominguez Border Patrol Checkpoint."
4. References Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Any mention in U.S. laws or documents of the checkpoint detailed in section 3 will now be considered a reference to the "James R. Dominguez Border Patrol Checkpoint".