Sponsors (35)
The bill creates a bipartisan federal advisory council and annual reporting to strengthen preservation and public knowledge of African American history and culture, but it increases federal costs and carries risks of politicized appointments and a narrowed candidate pool.
Schools, universities, nonprofits, and scholars gain a dedicated federal advisory council that will recommend policies and programs to preserve and promote African American history and culture.
NEH, educators, and the public will receive annual authoritative reports and studies on African American history and cultural preservation to inform policy, programming, and public knowledge.
A bipartisan membership requirement is intended to build broader political support and reduce partisan turnover for the Council's recommendations and continuity of work.
Taxpayers may face increased federal personnel costs because Council members can be compensated (up to 50% of a senior-level daily rate) for their service.
Presidential appointment with Senate confirmation could politicize membership, narrow who is nominated, and slow the Council's formation or functioning through partisan confirmation battles.
Two-party parity and leadership-party restrictions may exclude nonpartisan or third‑party experts, narrowing the candidate pool and potentially limiting expertise or diversity of perspectives on the Council.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a 12-member, presidentially appointed, party-balanced council within the NEH to advise, evaluate, and recommend policy on African American history and culture, with a 10-year sunset.
Creates a 12-member National Council on African American History and Culture inside the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The President appoints members with Senate confirmation; members are private U.S. citizens serving five-year staggered terms, evenly split by political party, with a Chair and Vice Chair from different parties. The council will meet at least twice a year, evaluate NEH programs, prepare reports and policy recommendations, conduct studies at the NEH Chairperson’s request, receive limited pay and travel reimbursement, and will terminate 10 years after enactment.
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Kweisi Mfume · Last progress February 12, 2026