§2302 Functions of the Council; membership

Summary

Runs the Museum as its board of trustees. The Council sets policy, gives overall direction, watches over day-to-day operations, and handles money matters. It must have an Executive Committee to act when the full Council is not meeting. Has 65 voting members (mostly appointed by the President) plus three nonvoting ex officio members (one each named by the Secretaries of the Interior, State, and Education). Most members serve 5-year terms. Five House members and five Senators appointed during a Congress have terms that end with that Congress. People filling vacancies only serve the rest of that term. Non‑Congress members may stay on after their term ends until a successor takes office; congressional appointees named by the Speaker or President pro tempore may not. The President picks the Chair and Vice Chair from the Council for 5-year terms; reappointments are allowed. The Council must adopt bylaws. The Chair can waive a bylaw but must send written notice; the waiver is final after 30 days unless a majority objects in writing. One-third of the members is needed for a quorum, and vacancies do not stop the Council from acting. The Chair may name nonmembers to committees; they serve without cost to the federal government.