Summary#
The NO SELF Act would create a new federal law; it does not amend an existing law. It would bar the Secretary of the Navy from naming or renaming a Navy vessel for a person who is serving as President or Vice President at the time. The bill’s stated goal is to prohibit that naming while the person is in office.
- The ban applies to both naming a vessel and renaming one.
- It applies only when the person is serving as President or Vice President at the time of the naming or renaming.
- After that person leaves office, the bill would not prohibit naming or renaming a vessel for them.
- The bill does not require the Navy to rename vessels already named for a sitting President or Vice President.
- The bill has not become law: it was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services.
What it means for you#
- Navy: The Secretary of the Navy would have to follow the ban when naming or renaming vessels. The bill does not create a separate office or set out a process for choosing vessel names.
- People serving as President or Vice President: A Navy vessel could not be named or renamed for them while they hold that office. The bill would not bar that naming after they leave office.
- General public: The bill does not directly change public services, taxes, benefits, or individual rights.
Money#
No cost information is in the available material.
- The bill does not specify spending, staffing, fees, fines, or savings.
What is unclear#
- The bill does not set an effective date.
- It does not define “vessel of the Navy” or explain what counts as naming a vessel “for” a person.
- It does not set out how naming decisions are made or provide an exception to the ban.
- The bill does not explain whether it would affect naming plans already under way when the law starts.
Case for#
- A possible argument for the bill is that it prevents the Navy from naming a vessel for a President or Vice President while that person is still in office.
- The ban is limited to people serving in those offices at the time of naming or renaming; it does not bar the Navy from naming a vessel for them after they leave office.
- The bill would not require changes to existing vessel names.
Case against#
- One concern is that the bill would limit the Secretary of the Navy’s discretion over vessel names for this specific group, without explaining why this restriction is needed.
- The bill does not explain how it would apply to naming decisions already under way, or what criteria would govern those decisions.