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HR10527119th Congress
Smithsonian Integrity and Historical Independence Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
Introduced
Summary
Protects the Smithsonian from partisan political interference. It would bar most federal officials from forcing interpretations, altering or removing exhibits, or conditioning funding on adopting a particular viewpoint, and it would create a reporting and congressional-notice process for interference claims.
Show full summary
- Smithsonian staff, agents, and affiliates would have a duty to report any attempted interference or threats to the Secretary under rules the Secretary sets.
- Federal officials would be prohibited from requiring the Smithsonian to adopt any interpretation based on the official's political preference, from requesting removal or alteration of content that discusses controversial aspects of American history, and from making funding conditional on endorsing a viewpoint.
- The Secretary must notify the House Committee on House Administration and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration within 30 days after receiving a report of interference.
- The law would define who counts as a "Federal official" and explicitly excludes the Secretary, Board of Regents members acting in that role, and Smithsonian employees, agents, or affiliates from that definition for these prohibitions.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Protect Smithsonian from political interference
If enacted, Federal officials would be banned from forcing the Smithsonian to adopt a political viewpoint. The bill would bar officials from removing, altering, or prohibiting Smithsonian content just because it discusses controversial or politically sensitive history. It would also bar funding conditions that require the Smithsonian to endorse a particular viewpoint. The bill would define who counts as a "Federal official," excluding the Smithsonian Secretary, Regents acting in that role, and Smithsonian employees and affiliates. Smithsonian employees, agents, and affiliates would have to report interference or threats to the Secretary under rules the Secretary writes. The Secretary would notify the House Committee on House Administration and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration within 30 days of a report.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
NM • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]
IL • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]
MD • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]
TX • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
MA • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
MA • D
Sponsored 9/21/2026
Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18]
TX • D
Sponsored 9/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov