To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the Capitol.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 250
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-27: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T02:54:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to honor Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father and key figure in American history, by directing the procurement and placement of his statue in the United States Capitol. It ensures the statue is publicly accessible, promoting education and appreciation of U.S. history.
Key Provisions
- Procurement Deadline: By December 31, 2025, the Joint Committee on the Library (a congressional body responsible for managing Capitol artworks and artifacts) must enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Benjamin Franklin. The terms must align with applicable laws.
- Placement Requirements: By December 31, 2026, the Committee must install the statue in a permanent, suitable location within the Capitol. This spot must be accessible to the public during guided tours offered by the Capitol Visitor Center.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new mandate for the Joint Committee on the Library, with no direct amendments to prior statutes. It builds on existing authority for managing Capitol statues but specifies deadlines and public access for this particular addition, potentially expanding the collection of historical monuments in the Capitol.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Joint Committee on the Library will handle procurement, installation, and funding (likely from congressional appropriations), adding a minor administrative task without broad operational changes.
- On Citizens: Enhances public access to historical figures during Capitol tours, potentially increasing educational value for visitors, including students and tourists, at no direct cost to individuals.
- On International Relations: Negligible impact, as it focuses on domestic historical commemoration with no foreign policy elements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Joint Committee on the Library: Primary entity responsible for execution, including budgeting and logistics.
- Congress: As the bill's origin and overseer of Capitol facilities.
- Public Visitors: Tour participants who will gain access to the statue, benefiting from enriched historical experiences.
- Historians and Cultural Organizations: Indirectly involved in advising on the statue's design or historical accuracy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on Congress's constitutional authority (Article I, Section 8) to manage federal buildings like the Capitol. No conflicts with existing laws on artwork procurement are evident.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to regulate its own facilities; promotes free public access without infringing on rights.
- Political: Symbolic gesture to celebrate American heritage, potentially fostering bipartisan unity on historical preservation, though it may spark minor debates on resource allocation for monuments amid other priorities. No major controversies anticipated.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
Cosponsors (34)
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. McClain, Lisa C. [R-MI-9], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-27: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- 2025-02-26: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-02-26: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H854)
- 2025-02-26: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H854)
- 2025-02-26: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 250.
- 2025-02-26: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H854-855)
- 2025-02-26: Mr. Steil moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- 2025-01-09: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- An Act To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the Capitol. — issued 2025-02-26 — PDF (4 pages)
- To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the Capitol. — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (2 pages)
- An Act To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the Capitol. — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (2 pages)