H.R. 7073: Equality in the Halls of Congress Act

The bill, titled the Equality in the Halls of Congress Act, aims to allow certain U.S. territories and commonwealths to provide statues for the National Statuary Hall Collection located in the U.S. Capitol. Currently, only individual states have the authority to submit statues to this collection, which honors notable figures in American history.

Provisions of the Bill

The bill includes the following main provisions:

• Eligibility of Territories and Commonwealths: The Act specifies that the following territories and commonwealths are permitted to provide statues:
• American Samoa
• Guam
• The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
• The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
• The United States Virgin Islands
• Compliance with Existing Statute: The statues provided by these territories must meet the same specifications that apply to statues sent by U.S. states, following existing laws in the Revised Statutes of the United States.
• Amendment to Existing Law: The bill introduces a change in the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of 2001, defining the term State to include the previously mentioned territories and commonwealths.
• Role of the Architect of the Capitol: The Architect of the Capitol is given the authority and responsibility to acquire and manage the placement of these statues within the National Statuary Hall Collection, including any necessary actions to implement the provisions of this Act.

Objective

The primary objective of the bill is to promote inclusivity by allowing diverse representations from U.S. territories and commonwealths in a significant national collection, thereby acknowledging their contributions and histories within the framework of U.S. history.

Implications

If passed, this legislation would facilitate a broader representation of American history, reflecting the unique cultural and historical narratives of each of these territories and commonwealths in the National Statuary Hall Collection.

Relevant Companies