U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
HB9739: Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act
Status: In committee, July 16, 2026
To prohibit the exercise of the right of eminent domain with respect to Mount Cristo Rey.
What the bill says
To prohibit the exercise of the right of eminent domain with respect to Mount Cristo Rey.
From the introduced text, July 16, 2026:
A BILL To prohibit the exercise of the right of eminent domain with respect to Mount Cristo Rey. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act . SECTION 2. Prohibition on use of eminent domain (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Mount Cristo Rey is a mountain that bears deep religious and cultural significance located in Sunland Park, New Mexico. (2) Mount Cristo Rey is a holy site, and a pilgrimage destination visited by over 40,000 people every year. (3) A 29-foot statute of Jesus Christ was constructed at the peak of Mount Cristo Rey and dedicated in October 1939. (4) Every year, faithful from Texas, New Mexico, and the state of Chihuahua, participate in pilgrimages on Good Friday in the spring and on the Feast of Christ the King in the fall. (5) Mount Cristo Rey is owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces. (6) The Federal Government's attempt to seize the land around Mount Cristo Rey for the purposes of border wall construction infringes upon the religious liberty of the Catholic Church and all visitors to the holy site. (b) Prohibition with respect to Mount Cristo Rey No Federal funds may be used to litigate United States of America v. 14.259 Acres of Land, More or Less, …
Sponsors
- Veronica Escobar (D, HD-016) · primary sponsor
- Brendan Boyle (D, HD-PA-2)
- Luis Correa (D, HD-CA-46)
Latest actions
- : Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- : Introduced in House
Subjects: Government Operations and Politics
Common questions
- What is HB9739?
- HB9739 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act.
- What does HB9739 do?
- In its own words: To prohibit the exercise of the right of eminent domain with respect to Mount Cristo Rey.
- What is the status of HB9739?
- In committee as of July 16, 2026. Latest action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (July 16, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB9739?
- Veronica Escobar (D, HD-016), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB9739?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9739
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.