§4502 Foundation

Summary

Creates the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation as an independent part of the executive branch to mark the Constitution’s bicentennial. A 13-member Board of Trustees must run the Foundation. The Board includes two Senators (of different parties) and two House members (of different parties) appointed by the President after recommendations from Senate and House leaders, two federal judges appointed by the President after recommendation by the Chief Justice, and six presidential appointees (with Senate approval) who must include one State chief executive officer, two members of the public, and three academic members recommended by the Librarian of Congress; no more than three of those six may be from the same political party. The Secretary of Education, or a designated person, is a nonvoting member who may not be Chair. Board members serve six-year terms. At the start, the President will set four members for two years, five for four years, and four for six years. If someone leaves early, a replacement serves the rest of that term and is appointed the same way the original was. A member whose term ends may stay until a successor takes office or until Congress adjourns sine die for the next session. The Board elects a Chair and other officers. Members do not get a salary, but Board members and Foundation officers and staff can be paid back for travel, food, and other needed expenses at the rates for U.S. judges under section 456(a) of title 28.