# 119-s-2385: Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History Act

119-s-2385, Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN] (R-IN); status in_committee (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2385
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-2385
- Congress: 119
- Title: Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-07-22
- Sponsor: Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN] (R-IN)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## Summary

**This bill would require federal museums, historic sites, and the Smithsonian to present a unifying, patriotic account of American history rather than what it calls ideological or divisive narratives.** It would set rules for exhibits, reshape Smithsonian governance, and direct the Department of the Interior to review and restore monuments and Independence National Historical Park. - Families and visitors: Would bar federal spending on exhibits or programs the bill says degrade shared American values or divide Americans by race, and would prohibit recognition of men as women or promotion of gender-affirming medicine for minors in Smithsonian-funded content. - Smithsonian governance and staff: Would direct the Vice President to influence the Board of Regents, require appointment of citizen Regents who support the law's goals, and condition future Smithsonian appropriations on compliance with the bill's content rules. - National parks and monuments: Would require the Interior Secretary to review removals or alterations since January 1, 2020, reinstate pre-existing monuments as appropriate, and provide funding to improve Independence National Historical Park with a target of July 4, 2026.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA] (R-IA), 2025-07-30T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Upgrades to Independence Hall Park: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would tell the Interior Secretary to provide funding, as available, to improve Independence National Historical Park. Work would target completion by July 4, 2026. The bill does not set a dollar amount or require a specific appropriation.
- No new legal rights against U.S.: cost, low. If enacted, the bill would say it does not create any legal right or benefit that people can enforce against the United States or its agencies. It would also say it does not impair existing agency authorities or change OMB functions.
- Review and restore federal monuments: mixed, medium. If enacted, the bill would require the Interior Secretary to review monuments, memorials, statues, markers, and similar items under Department control. The Secretary would check removals or alterations since January 1, 2020 and, as allowed by law, reinstate pre-existing items. The Secretary would a…
- Smithsonian funding and governance: mixed, medium. If enacted, the bill would direct the Vice President and OMB to shape Smithsonian spending and board choices. The Vice President would use the Board of Regents to seek Regents who support the bill's policy and to remove material the Vice President finds violates that policy. Future federal money fo…
- OMB and Interior to promote policy: mixed, low. If enacted, the bill would direct the Director of OMB and the Interior Secretary to take measures within their existing legal authority to promote the bill's policy. The direction does not create new statutory powers or set aside funding. Any actions must stay within each official's current authori…

## Related bills

- 119-s-4952: Protecting American Taxpayers Act
- 119-s-4378: Protecting American Taxpayers Act
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act
- 119-s-3752: SAVE America Act
- 119-s-4189: INSULIN Act of 2026
- 119-s-1151: Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act

## Sources
- [119-s-2385 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2385)

## Related
- [119-s-4952: Protecting American Taxpayers Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4952)
- [119-s-4378: Protecting American Taxpayers Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4378)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [119-s-3752: SAVE America Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3752)
- [119-s-4189: INSULIN Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4189)
- [119-s-1151: Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1151)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2385 (as of 2026-09-10).