Pelosi Urges Speaker Johnson to Change House Calendar to Allow for Appropriate Commemoration of 80th Anniversary of D-Day

Washington, D.C. — Today, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson urging him to change the Congressional calendar to accommodate bipartisan Congressional delegations to travel to Normandy in advance of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings on June 6, 2024.  Currently, the House is scheduled to be in session from June 3rd through June 6th.

“D-Day will forever serve as a vivid reminder of the cost of freedom and the blessing of peace,” Speaker Emerita Pelosi wrote.  “In years past, bipartisan Congressional delegations have embraced the solemn opportunity to commemorate this historic day by traveling to Normandy and giving thanks to the veterans who fought there in defense of democracy.  To that end, I am writing to request that the House appropriately observe D-Day by changing the Congressional calendar to provide the opportunity to travel to Normandy for this special observance for as many as Members possible.”

Speaker Pelosi has led bipartisan Congressional delegations to Normandy, France to mark previous anniversaries of the Allied D-Day invasion – most recently in 2019 for the 75th anniversary.  Organizers have expressed that this may be the last opportunity to mark a major anniversary with living veterans who fought at Normandy.

Below is the text of the letter to the Speaker: 

***

Dear Speaker Johnson:

This year, D-Day the sixth of June will mark the 80th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy. In one of the greatest acts of heroism in human history, tens of thousands of courageous young soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy from the land, air and sea. Their unimaginable valor and sacrifice were a turning of the tide in the fight against fascism – launching the Allied Forces toward absolute victory and earning the everlasting gratitude of all freedom-loving people.

In years past, bipartisan Congressional delegations have embraced the solemn opportunity to commemorate this historic day by traveling to Normandy and giving thanks to the veterans who fought there in defense of democracy. To that end, I am writing to request that the House appropriately observe D-Day by changing the Congressional calendar to provide the opportunity to travel to Normandy for this special observance for as many as Members possible.

D-Day will forever serve as a vivid reminder of the cost of freedom and the blessing of peace. Americans take great pride in our Nation’s history in fighting for our freedom and democracy in the world. Allowing for the continued tradition of the Congress appropriately commemorating D-Day will be a tremendous statement of our commitment to this mission.

Thank you for your consideration.

NANCY PELOSI