Sponsors (35)
Creates a bipartisan advisory council to strengthen preservation and NEH guidance on African American history and culture, but does so with structural limits (partisan seat rules, restricted reappointments, and a 10-year sunset) and modest new federal costs that may reduce inclusiveness and long-term continuity.
Schools, universities, nonprofits, and Black communities will gain a dedicated federal advisory council to improve preservation and public understanding of African American history and culture.
Nonprofits, researchers, and cultural institutions will receive annual expert recommendations to the NEH to better target programs and funding toward African American cultural preservation.
The council's required 6 D / 6 R appointment structure is intended to increase bipartisan credibility of its recommendations, potentially making NEH actions more broadly acceptable.
Nonprofits, schools, and Black communities risk loss of long-term continuity for preservation efforts because the council sunsets after 10 years unless Congress reauthorizes it.
Qualified unaffiliated or third-party candidates may be excluded by the strict 6 D / 6 R membership requirement, reducing diversity of viewpoints and opportunities to serve.
Council effectiveness and institutional memory may be weakened because members cannot be reappointed for two years, reducing continuity and retention of experienced members.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a presidentially appointed, Senate‑confirmed 12‑member Council at NEH to study, evaluate, and recommend policy on African American history and culture, with set membership rules and a 10‑year sunset.
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Kweisi Mfume · Last progress February 12, 2026
Creates a 12‑member National Council on African American History and Culture housed at the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council members are private citizens appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, must be evenly split by party (6 Democrats / 6 Republicans), serve five‑year staggered terms, and carry out reporting, evaluation, policy recommendation, and study duties; the body must meet at least twice a year and will terminate 10 years after enactment.