A House subcommittee heard testimony earlier today from FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor in support of a bill to finally erect a memorial to Thomas Paine in Washington, D.C.
Reps. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., have co-sponsored HR 9600, the Common Sense 250 Act of 2026, to place the memorial in a location reserved for commemorative works of preeminent historical and lasting significance to the United States. In her capacity as a founding member and secretary of the Thomas Paine Memorial Association, Gaylor testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands that Paine not only meets that criterion but asked, “Is there anyone who better meets that definition? Without Paine, there would be no United States of America — he named our very country.”
Gaylor’s testimony traced Paine’s role in the nation’s founding to soon after his arrival from England at Benjamin Franklin’s invitation in 1774. “Common Sense,” published 250 years ago this January, sold an estimated 500,000 copies when the 13 colonies held 2.5 million people. Paine relinquished the copyright and gave the proceeds to the Continental Army, then enlisted as a private in 1776 and marched with George Washington through that first winter campaign. The experience produced the first of the “Crisis Papers” (“These are the times that try men’s souls”) in 1776, which Washington ordered read aloud to soldiers to keep up morale.
“Is there a better or more meaningful way for Congress to commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary than by ensuring this honor for the Revolution’s principal champion for independence?” Gaylor asked the subcommittee. “This memorial will honor our founding heritage and be an enduring monument to patriotism and our nation’s ideals.”
Rep. Jared Huffman, co-chair of the Congressional Freethought Caucus and ranking Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, commended Gaylor on her testimony.
“Ms. Gaylor, you did a great job of reminding us just what a towering figure Thomas Paine was to the American Revolution and to the founding of our country,” he said.
Bill co-sponsor Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., spoke passionately about the Revolutionary War hero.
“You know, Napoleon said that a statue of gold should be erected to Tom Paine in every country of the world because he was the original champion of freedom and democratic self-government,” Raskin stated. “I would just urge the committee to codify the recommendation of the commission so we can move this quickly.”
Demonstrating the bipartisan nature of the proceedings, a GOP member of Congress joined in the praise.
“I have a Thomas Paine quote hanging on my wall, and I really appreciate the work you’re doing to memorialize someone who was so important to our founding on the 250th anniversary of our founding,” Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, remarked.
Congress in late 2022 already granted the Thomas Paine Memorial Association permission to erect the memorial. Once Congress approves the Common Sense 250 Act of 2026 to situate it in Area 1, the project goes before the Arts Commission to approve the design concept and then earnest fundraising can begin. No federal funds will be expended to build the monument. Renowned sculptor Zenos Frudakis is commissioned to sculpt the memorial.
Two and a half centuries after “Common Sense” made the case for independence, the capital Paine helped bring into being still has no concrete tribute to him. HR 9600 would rectify that omission and finally grant this Founder his due — a fitting conclusion for America’s 250th birthday.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With about 41,000 members, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
