National Council on African American History and Culture Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7549
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Arts, Culture, Religion
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-12: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T08:07:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The National Council on African American History and Culture Act of 2026 aims to create an advisory body within the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH, a federal agency that supports cultural and educational projects) to promote the preservation, understanding, and celebration of African American history and culture. This council would guide national policies and evaluate related federal efforts.
Key Provisions
- Establishment: Creates the National Council on African American History and Culture as a 12-member advisory group inside the NEH.
- Membership:
- Appointed by the President with Senate approval.
- Members must be non-federal employees with expertise in African American history and culture, such as scholars or cultural leaders.
- Ensures balanced representation: equitable inclusion of women, people of color, and individuals with disabilities; broad views from scholars, practitioners, and the public; and exactly six members affiliated with the Democratic Party and six with the Republican Party.
- President designates a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from members, who must be from different political parties.
- Terms and Operations:
- Standard term: 5 years; initial terms staggered (six for 3 years, six for 5 years, balanced by party).
- No reappointment for 2 years after term ends; vacancies filled for remaining term.
- Compensation: Half the daily rate for top senior-level federal positions (above GS-15, a high-level pay grade in federal service), plus travel expenses.
- Meetings: At least twice yearly; quorum of 9 members required for decisions or hearings.
- Duties:
- Submit annual reports to NEH on preservation efforts.
- Collect and analyze information on African American history and culture, monitor related museums and organizations, and assess need for national policies.
- Evaluate NEH programs for their impact on African American cultural preservation and recommend improvements to the President.
- Develop policies to enhance understanding and celebration of African American contributions to U.S. society.
- Provide studies and recommendations as requested by NEH.
- Duration and Rules: The council lasts 10 years from enactment; exempt from automatic termination under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA, a law governing advisory groups).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new entity within the NEH, with no direct amendments to prior laws mentioned. It builds on existing NEH structures by adding a specialized advisory council focused on African American history and culture, similar to other NEH councils but tailored to this area. The political party balance requirement is a unique addition not commonly specified in other federal advisory bodies.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The NEH would gain an advisory resource to refine programs, potentially increasing focus and funding on African American cultural projects, but with added administrative costs for appointments and operations.
- Citizens: Could enhance public access to and education about African American history through better-supported museums, programs, and policies, benefiting communities interested in cultural preservation.
- International Relations: No direct impacts; the focus is domestic cultural policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- African American Communities and Cultural Organizations: Primary beneficiaries through increased preservation and promotion efforts.
- Scholars, Museums, and Practitioners: Involved in evaluations and policy recommendations; may receive more federal support.
- NEH and Federal Government: Responsible for implementation, reporting, and acting on advice.
- President and Senate: Handle appointments, ensuring political balance.
- General Public: Gains from broader cultural education and national policy on history.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As an advisory body, it has no enforcement power, reducing legal risks; the FACA exemption prevents early dissolution, ensuring stability for 10 years.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to create advisory committees and promote education/culture; Senate confirmation upholds checks and balances.
- Political: Mandated bipartisan balance (equal Democrats and Republicans) promotes neutrality but could lead to partisan debates during appointments; the 10-year sunset clause allows future Congresses to reassess or extend, avoiding permanent structure amid cultural policy sensitivities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (36)
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-12: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-02-12: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- National Council on African American History and Culture Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-12 — PDF (7 pages)