Establishing an advisory working group to make recommendations with respect to relief portraits in the Hall of the House of Representatives.

Bill Number

H.Res. 582

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Congress

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-07-15: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Last Updated

2025-07-28T12:34:08Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 582) aims to create an advisory working group to recommend the addition of relief portraits (raised, sculpted images) of two notable women to the Hall of the House of Representatives. These portraits would join existing relief portraits of historical lawgivers displayed above the doors to the public gallery, promoting greater representation of women in the chamber's decor.

Key Provisions

• Establishment and Composition: Forms an advisory working group consisting of:
• The Clerk of the House of Representatives.
• The Curator of the House of Representatives.
• The Curator for the Architect of the Capitol.
• The Chair and ranking minority member (top Democrat and Republican) of the Committee on House Administration.
• The Chair and ranking minority member of the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch of the Committee on Appropriations.
• The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Bipartisan Women's Caucus.
• Responsibilities: The group must submit a written report to the Speaker of the House, the Minority Leader, and the Committee on House Administration with recommendations on:
• Selecting two women suitable for inclusion as lawgivers.
• Planning, funding, and commissioning their relief portraits.
• Installing the portraits in the Hall, including whether to replace any existing ones.
• A timeline for installation that minimizes disruption to House proceedings.
• Coordination and Consultation: The group designates two members (from specified leadership roles, approved by the Speaker and Minority Leader) to handle necessary actions. It must consult leading scholars in legal history, women's history, and related fields, as well as Library of Congress staff.
• Deadline: The report is due within one year of the resolution's adoption or by the end of the 119th Congress, whichever comes first.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

As a House resolution, this does not amend statutes or create binding law but establishes an internal advisory process. It introduces no direct changes to existing law. However, it could lead to modifications in the House's physical decor, which is currently composed of relief portraits of 23 historical male lawgivers (e.g., from ancient to modern eras), by recommending the addition or replacement of portraits to include women for the first time.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Affects the House of Representatives' administrative operations, including the Clerk's office, curators, and Architect of the Capitol, through planning and potential funding for artwork. Installation may require minor logistical adjustments but is designed to avoid disrupting legislative business.
• Citizens: Symbolic impact by enhancing visibility of women's contributions to law and history in a key public space, potentially inspiring greater civic engagement on gender equality. No direct effects on individual rights or services.
• International Relations: None apparent; this is a domestic, internal House matter focused on U.S. historical representation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• House Leadership and Staff: Speaker, Minority Leader, committee chairs/members, curators, and Clerk, who form the working group and receive its recommendations.
• Congressional Groups: Bipartisan Women's Caucus, Committee on House Administration, and Appropriations Subcommittee, involved in composition and oversight.
• Experts and Institutions: Scholars in history fields and Library of Congress staff, consulted for input on selections.
• Broader Public: Women and advocates for gender diversity in government symbols, as well as visitors to the Capitol who view the Hall.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The resolution is advisory and non-binding, relying on House rules for implementation. Any funding or installation would need separate approval, potentially through appropriations, but raises no enforceable legal obligations.
• Constitutional: No significant issues; the House has authority over its internal operations and decor under Article I of the U.S. Constitution, without infringing on separation of powers or free speech.
• Political: Promotes bipartisanship through inclusive group composition and consultation. Highlights ongoing efforts for gender equity in congressional symbolism, potentially influencing public discourse on representation without partisan controversy, as it focuses on historical lawgivers rather than current politics.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-07-15: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
• 2025-07-15: Submitted in House
• 2025-07-15: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Establishing an advisory working group to make recommendations with respect to relief portraits in the Hall of the House of Representatives. — issued 2025-07-15 — PDF (3 pages)