H.R. 10527: Smithsonian Integrity and Historical Independence Act of 2026

This bill would bar federal officials from pressuring the Smithsonian Institution to change its historical or educational content based on political preferences.

What it would prohibit

• Federal officials could not require the Smithsonian to adopt a particular interpretation of history just because an official personally prefers it.
• They could not order, request, or otherwise cause the removal, alteration, or banning of exhibits, educational programs, research publications, or historical items simply because those materials discuss controversial or politically sensitive parts of American history.
• They could not make Smithsonian funding conditional on the institution endorsing or including a specific viewpoint.

Reporting and oversight

• Smithsonian employees, agents, and affiliated individuals would have to report any such interference, or attempted or threatened interference, to the Smithsonian Secretary under procedures the Secretary would set.
• Within 30 days after receiving such a report, the Secretary, or a designee, would have to notify the House Committee on House Administration and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.

Who counts as a federal official

For this bill, “federal official” would include the President, the Vice President, and federal civilian or military personnel, but not the Smithsonian Secretary, members of the Smithsonian Board of Regents acting in that role, or Smithsonian employees or affiliates.

Relevant Companies

None found