§183 Written History of the House of Representatives

Summary

The Librarian of Congress must create, print, and distribute a new, complete written history of the House of Representatives if funding is available and following the rules in section 183a. The Librarian must work with the Committee on House Administration and consult or hire noted historians and current and former House Members. The history must be an illustrated, chronological story aimed at general readers and congressional staff. It must cover the First and Second Continental Congresses and the Constitutional Convention and how they helped create the House. Printing can be done by the Government Publishing Office under chapter 5 of title 44, by a private publisher with private funding, or both. The plan must allow excerpts to appear on government websites. The book must be sold to the public, and the Librarian must give 5 free copies to each House Member and 250 to the Senate. The Librarian may seek and accept private funds for making and sharing the book.