Bill · S. 1596· Senate(119-S-1596)
Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act
- Introduced
- 5/5/2025
- Last activity
- 7/24/2025 — Became Public Law No: 119-30.
- Sponsored by
- John Cornyn
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
What this bill would do
This act is known as the "Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act". It renames the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Texas to the "Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge". The renaming honors Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old who was murdered in Houston, Texas, on June 17, 2024. The bill notes that Ms. Nungaray loved animals and lived near the refuge.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to passPassed 372–0
The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not.
07/14/2025 · Roll call 193 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Honoring a Victim: Section 2 states that renaming the refuge in honor of Ms. Nungaray is fitting because she loved animals and lived in close proximity to the refuge.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Updating Records: Section 3(b) requires that any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States be changed to the new name.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
No significant interests or groups are affected by this bill.
- Public Law(7/25/2025)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 7/24/2025
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-30.
- 7/17/2025
- Presented to President.
- 7/14/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 372 - 0 (Roll no. 193). (text: CR H3226-3227: 2)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 372 - 0 (Roll no. 193). (text: CR H3226-3227)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3231-3232)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1596.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3226-3227)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 5/15/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 5/13/2025
- Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2881-2882)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S2882)
- 5/5/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas