Equality in the Halls of Congress Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7073

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Congress

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-14: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Last Updated

2026-02-04T18:52:05Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Equality in the Halls of Congress Act" aims to expand representation in the National Statuary Hall Collection—a display in the U.S. Capitol featuring statues of notable Americans—by allowing U.S. territories and commonwealths to contribute statues, similar to how states do. This promotes greater inclusion and equality for these areas in federal commemorative spaces.

Key Provisions

• Eligibility for Statues: American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands may each provide and install one statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection.
• Compliance Standards: These statues must follow the same rules and specifications as those from states, as outlined in existing federal law (specifically, 2 U.S.C. 2131).
• Definition Update: Amends Section 311 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2001 (2 U.S.C. 2132) to redefine "State" to explicitly include the five listed territories and commonwealths.
• Implementation Role: The Architect of the Capitol (the official responsible for maintaining the U.S. Capitol building) is authorized to acquire these statues and take necessary actions to implement the law, including on behalf of the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library (a congressional group overseeing library and related collections).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Previously, only the 50 states could contribute statues to the National Statuary Hall Collection under federal statutes.
• The bill broadens the legal definition of "State" in 2 U.S.C. 2132 to encompass the specified territories and commonwealths, marking the first formal inclusion of these non-state entities in this tradition.
• No changes to the overall process for statue approval or installation, but it extends the same privileges to territories without requiring new procedures.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Architect of the Capitol will handle additional acquisitions and installations, potentially increasing administrative workload and costs (though minimal, as it's limited to five statues). The Joint Committee on the Library may oversee related decisions.
• On Citizens: Residents of the territories and commonwealths gain symbolic representation in the Capitol, honoring local historical figures and fostering a sense of national inclusion. This could enhance civic pride without direct effects on voting rights or governance.
• On International Relations: Negligible impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. territories; it may subtly strengthen U.S. ties with these areas by recognizing their contributions to American history.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Territories and Commonwealths: American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including their governments and residents who may select and fund statues.
• U.S. Congress: Members from these areas (non-voting delegates) and committees like House Administration and the Joint Committee on the Library.
• Federal Agencies: Primarily the Architect of the Capitol, responsible for execution.
• Broader Public: Visitors to the Capitol and the general American public, who will see expanded diversity in the collection.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill is straightforward and aligns with Congress's authority under Article I of the Constitution to manage federal buildings and collections. It introduces no new enforcement mechanisms or penalties, relying on existing laws for implementation.
• Constitutional: No direct challenges; it addresses symbolic representation without altering territorial status, voting rights, or self-governance under the Territories Clause (Article IV, Section 3). It could be seen as a step toward equal treatment under the law.
• Political: Highlights ongoing debates about territorial equity and inclusion in federal symbols, potentially building bipartisan support for further recognition of non-state jurisdictions. Introduced by representatives from affected areas, it underscores advocacy for "equality" in congressional spaces amid broader discussions on U.S. territorial policy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]

Cosponsors (4)

Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large], Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-14: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
• 2026-01-14: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Equality in the Halls of Congress Act — issued 2026-01-14 — PDF (3 pages)