What does Preamble of HR 6723 do?

This bill aims to establish the missing Armed Forces and civilian personnel Records Collection at the National Archives. It requires the expedited transfer of missing Armed Forces and civilian personnel records to the Archivist. The bill also mandates the public disclosure of these records.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 6723 do?

This bill is formally titled the Bring Our Heroes Home Act.

What does FINDINGS; PURPOSES. of HR 6723 do?

This section establishes findings and purposes related to records of missing Armed Forces and civilian personnel. Congress finds that records relating to missing personnel should be preserved for historical, governmental, and public research purposes, including for families. Records should carry a presumption of declassification and be disclosed to enable accounting for missing personnel. The Act aims to create the Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Collection at the National Archives. It also seeks to require the expeditious public transmission and disclosure of these records, with limited exceptions.

What does DEFINITIONS. of HR 6723 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. “Archivist” refers to the Archivist of the United States. “Collection” is defined as the Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Collection established under section 4(a). “Executive agency” includes agencies as defined in 5 U.S.C. § 552(f), Executive departments, and other entities within the executive branch, but excludes non-appropriated agencies. “Missing armed forces and civilian personnel” includes individuals who were missing and whose status was later changed to 'missing and presumed dead'. “Missing Armed Forces and civilian personnel record” refers to records relating to the loss or status of missing personnel created by government offices, presidential libraries, or the Armed Forces, dating from December 7, 1941, to the date of enactment. “Public interest” is defined as the compelling interest in disclosing records for historical, governmental, and public research purposes, particularly to inform families of missing personnel. “Review Board” refers to the Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Review Board established under section 5.

What does MISSING ARMED FORCES AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL RECORDS COLLECTION of HR 6723 do?

This section establishes the 'Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Collection' at the National Archives. The Archivist must commence establishing the Collection, preparing a guidebook and index, and establishing criteria for agencies transmitting records, within 90 days of a quorum of the Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Review Board being established. The Review Board is tasked with promulgating rules for disclosing records in the Collection, including information privacy safeguards, within 90 days of the Review Board members being sworn in. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform have continuing legislative oversight jurisdiction over the Collection.

What does REVIEW, IDENTIFICATION, TRANSMISSION TO THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES, of HR 6723 do?

This section outlines procedures for government offices to review, identify, and transmit missing Armed Forces and civilian personnel records to the National Archivist. Government offices must identify and locate missing records, including intelligence reports and POW-related documents, and prepare them for transmission. Each office must certify whether a thorough search has been conducted and whether any missing records have been transmitted. Destruction, alteration, or mutilation of these records is prohibited. Information previously disclosed to the public cannot be withheld or redacted. If redaction or withholding is proposed, the originating office must provide a justification demonstrating a significant harm outweighing public interest. The Archivist must establish regulations defining 'substantially redacted record'. Government offices are required to identify, locate, copy, and review records for transmission and disclosure within 270 days after a Review Board quorum is established. The Archivist must locate and identify classified records at the National Archives and make them available for review. Records already publicly available are to be made available without further review. Specific agencies, like the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and casualty offices, are exempt from declassification requirements in certain cases. Transmission of records to the Archivist must commence within 270 days and be completed within one year after a Review Board quorum. Records with postponed disclosure are subject to periodic review every 5 years, addressing the public disclosure standards. After 10 years, records must be publicly disclosed unless the originating body, Archivist, and President certify continued postponement based on demonstrated harm. The Archivist must comply with applicable records management requirements.

What does GROUNDS FOR POSTPONEMENT OF PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS. of HR 6723 do?

This section outlines grounds for postponing the public disclosure of missing Armed Forces and civilian personnel records. Records created after a specific date (25 years before review) may have disclosure postponed if the information pertains to national security matters like military plans, foreign government information, or intelligence activities, and the threat of disclosure outweighs the public interest. Disclosure can also be postponed if the information is protected under the Freedom of Information Act or Executive Order 13526. Older records (created 25 years or more before review) can have disclosure postponed if clear and convincing evidence demonstrates the release would harm confidential sources, cryptologic systems, military war plans, or foreign relations. An exception allows postponement regardless of the record's age if disclosure would harm a living informant, constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, harm military survival methods, or conflict with existing laws or executive orders.

What does ESTABLISHMENT AND POWERS OF THE MISSING ARMED FORCES AND of HR 6723 do?

This section establishes the "Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Review Board" as an independent establishment in the executive branch. The Review Board is composed of five members appointed by the President, subject to Senate advice and consent, with specific consultation requirements for appointments. Members must be U.S. citizens of integrity, possess a high professional reputation, and have an appreciation for the value of missing records. The Review Board's duties include considering determinations to postpone the disclosure of missing Armed Forces and civilian personnel records. The Review Board has authority to direct government offices to transmit records and summaries to the Archivist. The Review Board is subject to oversight by the Senate and House committees on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Oversight and Government Reform. The Review Board is scheduled to terminate four years after the date members are sworn in, and its records will be transferred to the Archivist.

What does MISSING ARMED FORCES AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL RECORDS REVIEW of HR 6723 do?

This section establishes procedures for personnel of the Review Board, including the Executive Director and other staff. The Executive Director must be a U.S. citizen of integrity and impartiality, without political affiliation or conflicts of interest. The Review Board must consult with the Office of Government Ethics regarding potential conflicts of interest for both the Executive Director and staff. Applicants for these positions must possess the necessary security clearances, and relevant government agencies are directed to expedite the review process. The Executive Director serves as a liaison to government offices, manages record reviews, and administers Review Board activities, but cannot decide on record disclosures. The Review Board can remove the Executive Director by a majority vote. The Review Board can appoint additional staff without regard to certain civil service laws. Staff members must also be U.S. citizens of integrity and impartiality and must not have prior involvement in investigations related to missing personnel. The Review Board can create advisory committees subject to chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code. Compensation for the Executive Director and other employees is set by the Review Board, not exceeding the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule.

What does REVIEW OF RECORDS BY THE MISSING ARMED FORCES AND CIVILIAN of HR 6723 do?

This section establishes requirements for the Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Review Board (the Review Board). The Review Board must publish an initial schedule for record review within 90 days of member swearing-in and begin reviewing records within 180 days. The Review Board is directed to transmit records related to missing personnel to the Archivist and disclose them to the public unless there's 'clear and convincing evidence' they are not missing records. If disclosure is postponed, the Review Board must consider providing segregable parts, substitutes, or summaries of records. The Review Board must report its actions, justifications for postponements, and recommended disclosure times to Congress and the Archivist. The Review Board must notify the head of the originating body and make determinations publicly available within 30 days of a disclosure or postponement decision. After the Review Board terminates, newly discovered records are to be transmitted to the Archivist and reviewed by relevant congressional committees. The Review Board must provide regular notices to the public regarding approved postponements. The Review Board must submit annual reports to Congress, the President, and other relevant entities, detailing its activities, finances, and progress. The Review Board must provide briefs to Congress on recommendations for review, downgrading, and declassification.

Back to bills

Bring Our Heroes Home Act — HR. 6723

Last updated: 12/15/2025 · Introduced: 12/15/2025

Author: Chris Pappas (D-NH)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a 'Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Collection' at the National Archives to centralize records related to missing service members and civilian personnel.
It mandates government agencies to review, locate, and transmit relevant records to the National Archives within a specified timeframe, prohibiting the destruction or alteration of these records.
The bill creates a 'Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Review Board' to oversee record reviews, determine disclosures, and consider postponements based on national security or privacy concerns.
Records are generally presumed to be declassified and publicly disclosed, but postponements are allowed under specific circumstances, such as threats to national security or privacy, with periodic reviews and eventual public release after a set period.
The bill authorizes appropriations to support the implementation of these provisions and establishes procedures for agencies to request deadline extensions.

119th Congressin committeeS. 3226(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 14 more.

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