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119-s-3890119th Congress

National Council on African American History and Culture Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

Introduced

Summary

National Council on African American History and Culture

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This bill would create a new advisory council inside the National Endowment for the Humanities to shape how the federal government preserves and celebrates African American history and culture.

  • Scholars, museums, and cultural organizations would gain a focused federal advisory voice that gathers trends, monitors preservation efforts, evaluates NEH programs, and recommends national policies to promote understanding and preservation.
  • Appointees and partisan stakeholders would be affected by a 12-member body of private citizens appointed by the President, evenly split with 6 Democrats and 6 Republicans, serving staggered 5-year terms with initial 3- and 5-year appointments.
  • NEH operations would change because the Council must deliver an annual report to the NEH chair, meet at least twice per year, operate outside the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and terminate 10 years after enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Pay and travel for Council members

If enacted, the bill would allow each Council member to be paid 50 percent of the highest daily senior-level basic pay rate for every day they perform Council duties, including travel time. Members would also be reimbursed for travel expenses and receive per diem under federal travel rules. These payments would take effect when the bill is enacted and apply only to the private citizens who serve on the Council.

New African American History Council

If enacted, the bill would create a National Council on African American History and Culture inside the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council would have 12 private U.S. citizen members appointed by the President with Senate approval. Exactly six members would be Democrats and six would be Republicans, and the President would pick a Chair and Vice Chair from different parties. Members would serve staggered 5-year terms, the Council must meet at least twice a year, and it could not hold hearings without nine members present. The Council would end 10 years after the bill becomes law.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

MD • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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