Title 20, EducationRelease 119-102
§43 Appointment of Regents; Terms of Office; Vacancies
Title 20 › CHAPTER 3 — SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, NATIONAL MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES › SUBCHAPTER I — CHARTER PROVISIONS › § 43
Summary
Senators are appointed by the Senate President and serve their Senate term without re-election. House members are picked by the Speaker, serve two years, and are chosen every other fourth Wednesday in December to serve until the fourth Wednesday in December two years later. Nine regents are chosen by joint resolution for six years. Vacancies are filled like committee vacancies or by joint resolution.
Full Legal Text
Title 20, §43
Education, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The regents to be selected shall be appointed as follows: The Members of the Senate by the President thereof; the Members of the House by the Speaker thereof; and the nine other persons by joint resolution of the Congress. The Members of the House so appointed shall serve for the term of two years; and on every alternate fourth Wednesday of December a like number shall be appointed in the same manner to serve until the fourth Wednesday in December, in the second year succeeding their appointment. The Senators so appointed shall serve during the term for which they shall hold, without re-election, their office as Senators. Vacancies, occasioned by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be filled as vacancies in committees are filled. The regular term of service for the other nine members shall be six years; and new elections thereof shall be made by joint resolutions of Congress. Vacancies occasioned by death, resignation, or otherwise may be filled in like manner by joint resolution of Congress.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification R.S. § 5581 derived from act Aug. 10, 1846, ch. 178, § 3, 9 Stat. 103.
Amendments
1970—Pub. L. 91–551 authorized appointment of three additional members of the board by joint resolution of Congress.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
20 U.S.C. § 43
Title 20, Education
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102