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119-hr-10475119th CongressWALLET

Protecting Our History Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

Introduced

Summary

Protecting curatorial independence at federally supported cultural institutions while strengthening the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture with new legal tools and funding. This bill would lock in scholarly control over exhibits and guard museums from executive interference.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Congress may fund museums

If enacted, this would let Congress approve money for the Smithsonian and other federally supported museums by authorizing “such sums as may be necessary.” The bill does not set specific dollar amounts or a schedule. Any actual spending would still need later appropriation acts. This authorization would let Congress fund activities and independence for these institutions.

Protect museum curators' independence

If enacted, this would say the NMAAHC has exclusive control over its scholarly, curatorial, research, and exhibition work and that no U.S. officer may direct or block its content. The bill would bar executive orders or OMB actions from withholding, reprogramming, or impounding funds because of exhibit subject matter. It would also define which museums and programs the rules cover, saying an "Institution" includes any Smithsonian unit or any museum, cultural center, or heritage organization that gets federal funding, recognition, or partnership.

Board duties and preservation steps

If enacted, this would require the Smithsonian Board of Regents to adopt written anti‑retaliation rules and internal reporting for museum staff. The Board would have to send any executive‑branch message that tries to limit NMAAHC content to the NMAAHC Council within 5 business days. The Board could use institutional funds to defend the museum and arrange temporary custody or archival measures if it and the Council find an imminent threat to collections or programming.

Enforce rights and punish interference

If enacted, this would give the NMAAHC Council and affected institutions clear standing to sue federal officers in federal court to stop interference, restore withheld funds, and seek fees and other relief. It would create a rebuttable presumption of irreparable harm when content, collections, programming, operations, or funding are threatened. The bill would also require annual Inspector General audits and reports to Congress and allow administrative discipline, up to removal, for federal officers found to have knowingly interfered.

Whistleblower rights for museum staff

If enacted, this would extend federal whistleblower protections to museum directors, curators, archivists, researchers, and advisory council members at federally supported institutions. The protection would apply when those staff report violations to Congress or any Inspector General. This would give covered museum personnel the same legal protections under chapter 23 of title 5 as other federal whistleblowers.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

FL • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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