Sponsors (3)
Introduced February 20, 2025 by John Hoeven · Last progress June 23, 2026
The bill leverages substantial private and state fundraising to expand public exhibits and education about Theodore Roosevelt with up to $50M in federal support, but it exposes taxpayers to potential federal spending, shifts long‑term maintenance costs to non‑Federal entities, and leaves questions about stewardship and accountability for loaned artifacts.
State governments and private/nonprofit funders will be required to raise at least $100 million in non‑Federal/state funding before the Foundation receives federal grants, leveraging private and state investment and reducing immediate federal outlays.
Taxpayers and the public may benefit from up to $50 million in federal grant support that enables the Theodore Roosevelt Foundation to establish exhibits and educational programs about Roosevelt, expanding educational opportunities at schools and universities and for visitors.
Nonprofits and educational institutions will gain improved access to historic artifacts because federal agencies may loan artifacts to the Foundation without charge, enhancing public display and research opportunities.
Taxpayers could be exposed to up to $50 million in future federal expenditures to support the presidential library project, increasing federal spending risk.
Grant funds are prohibited from being used for maintenance or operations, which will likely shift ongoing costs to state governments, the Foundation, local governments, or other non‑Federal entities.
Federal agencies will loan artifacts while retaining limited operational control, creating risks around long‑term stewardship, preservation standards, and public accountability for those materials.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes up to $50M in grants to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation (after a $100M non‑Federal match) and allows loan of Federal artifacts to the library.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide up to $50,000,000 in grants to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, conditioned on the Foundation first certifying that it has received at least $100,000,000 from North Dakota or other non‑Federal sources; grant money cannot be used for maintenance or operations and is subject to advance appropriations. The Secretary may also enter agreements within 180 days of enactment to loan Federal artifacts and objects (from agencies under the Secretary’s jurisdiction, including the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) to the Foundation without monetary consideration; Federal agencies will not operate the Library unless asked by the non‑Federal operator and consistent with law.