The bill gives the five U.S. territories formal symbolic representation in the National Statuary Hall and clarifies implementation responsibilities, increasing visibility for territorial communities while imposing modest taxpayer costs and creating potential political and legal questions about territorial status and honoree choices.
Residents of the five U.S. territories gain formal representation in the National Statuary Hall through a statue each that their territory selects.
Raises national visibility and symbolic recognition of territorial history and contributions, increasing public awareness of those communities.
Clarifies administrative responsibility by directing the Architect of the Capitol to acquire and implement the statues, smoothing logistics and timelines for placement and maintenance.
Altering the statutory definition of 'State' for this limited purpose may prompt legal or political calls for similar treatment elsewhere, creating broader questions about territorial status and rights.
Choices of honorees could provoke political or reputational disputes among Members, visitors, or communities, requiring Congressional or administrative attention.
Taxpayers could face modest added costs to acquire, install, and maintain up to five additional statues.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Treats five U.S. territories/commonwealths as "States" for purposes of donating statues to the National Statuary Hall Collection and directs the Architect of the Capitol to acquire them.
Introduced January 14, 2026 by James Moylan · Last progress January 14, 2026
Allows American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands to provide statues for the National Statuary Hall Collection by treating those jurisdictions the same as States under the existing statute. Directs the Architect of the Capitol to acquire and place those statues and take any actions needed to implement the change on behalf of the Joint Congressional Committee on the Library.