Introduced in House — H.Con.Res. 43

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. CON. RES. 43

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 10, 2025

Mrs. Bice (for herself, Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Moore of Alabama, Mr. Feenstra, Mr. Murphy, Mrs. Miller-Meeks, Mr. Downing, Mrs. Houchin, and Mr. Carter of Georgia) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress that any public rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner must be performed as written by Francis Scott Key, in English.

Whereas The Star-Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key in 1814, was designated as the national anthem of the United States by Congress in 1931;

Whereas the lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner, as originally composed in English, reflect the historical and cultural significance of the United States resilience and unity during a time of national challenge;

Whereas the English-language text of the anthem, as written by Francis Scott Key, serves as a unifying symbol of American heritage and patriotism;

Whereas preserving the original English lyrics in public performances honors the historical context and intent of the anthem as a representation of the Nation’s values and identity; and

Whereas maintaining the integrity of the anthem’s original language fosters a shared understanding and respect for its meaning among all Americans: Now, therefore, be it

That—

(1)

any public rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner should be performed as written by Francis Scott Key, in the English language, to preserve its historical and cultural integrity;

(2)

public performances of the national anthem should reflect the original lyrics to maintain its unifying significance for the people of the United States; and

(3)

performers and organizers of public events are encouraged to honor the tradition of presenting The Star-Spangled Banner in its original English form, as a tribute to its historical and patriotic importance.