A bill to direct the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the United States Capitol.

Bill Number

S. 44

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Congress

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Last Updated

2025-06-11T10:56:26Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill (S. 44) aims to honor Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father, inventor, and statesman, by directing the placement of his statue in the U.S. Capitol. It seeks to make the statue publicly accessible as part of guided tours, promoting education and historical recognition.

Key Provisions

• Procurement Deadline: By December 31, 2025, the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library (a bipartisan congressional group responsible for the Library of Congress and related assets) must enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Benjamin Franklin. The terms must follow applicable laws and be deemed appropriate by the Committee.
• Placement Requirements: By December 31, 2026, the Committee must install the statue in a permanent, suitable location within the U.S. Capitol. The site must allow public access during guided tours run by the Office of the Capitol Visitor Center.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This legislation introduces a new mandate for acquiring and displaying a specific statue, with no direct amendments to prior laws mentioned. It builds on existing authority of the Joint Committee to manage Capitol artifacts but adds targeted deadlines and requirements for this particular item.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Joint Committee will handle procurement, funding (likely from congressional appropriations), and installation, potentially involving coordination with the Architect of the Capitol for space and maintenance. This could require minor budget allocations without broad fiscal effects.
• On Citizens: Enhances public access to historical figures through Capitol tours, offering educational value for visitors, students, and tourists interested in American history.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill is purely domestic and symbolic.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Joint Committee of Congress on the Library: Primary responsibility for execution, including decision-making on the statue's design, cost, and location.
• Members of Congress: Sponsors (Senators Coons, Boozman, Lankford, and Warner from both parties) and the broader Congress, which must approve funding and any related measures.
• Public Visitors and Educational Groups: Benefit from increased historical displays in the Capitol.
• Capitol Visitor Center and Architect of the Capitol: Involved in tour integration and physical placement/maintenance.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on the Joint Committee's established statutory authority (under laws governing congressional operations) without introducing new enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance. Deadlines ensure timely action but are administrative rather than judicial.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's plenary power over its facilities (Article I, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution), posing no challenges to separation of powers or free speech issues.
• Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support, as evidenced by cross-party sponsorship, and serves as a non-controversial way to celebrate national heritage. It could set a precedent for future commemorative statues but is unlikely to spark debate given its symbolic nature.

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

Sponsor

Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

Cosponsors (6)

Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK], Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
• 2025-01-09: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• To direct the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the United States Capitol. — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (2 pages)