[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S174-S175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 4217. Mr. PADILLA submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
by him to the bill H.R. 6938, making consolidated appropriations for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes;
which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end of title I of division C, add the following:
site of smithsonian national museum of the american latino
Sec. 1___. (a)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of
law or regulation, including section 8908(c) of title 40,
United States Code, the Smithsonian National Museum of the
American Latino may be located within the Reserve (as defined
in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code).
(2) Section 201(g)(4) of division T of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80u(g)(4)) is amended by
striking ``, except that'' and all that follows and inserting
a period.
(b) Section 201(g)(2) of division T of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80u(g)(2)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(2) Site under the jurisdiction of another federal
agency.--
``(A) Notification to other agency or entity.--The Board of
Regents shall not designate a site for the Museum that is
under the administrative jurisdiction of another Federal
agency or entity without first notifying the head of the
Federal agency or entity.
``(B) Notification to committees.--Once notified under
subparagraph (A), the head of the Federal agency or entity
shall promptly
[[Page S175]]
submit written notification to the Chair and ranking minority
members of the Committee on Rules and Administration, the
Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate, and the Committee on House
Administration, the Committee on Natural Resources, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives,
stating that the Federal agency or entity was notified by the
Board of Regents that a site under its jurisdiction was
designated and that a transfer will be initiated as soon as
practicable.
``(C) Transfer.--As soon as practicable after the date on
which the individuals described in subparagraph (B) receive
the written notification described in such subparagraph, the
head of the Federal agency or entity shall transfer to the
Smithsonian Institution its administrative jurisdiction over
the land or structure that has been designated as the site
for the Museum.''.
(c) Section 201(d)(2)(D) of division T of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80u(d)(2)(D)) is amended
to read as follows:
``(D) Ensuring diversity of political viewpoints and
authentic experiences.--
``(i) In general.--The Board of Trustees shall ensure that
the exhibits and programs of the Museum accurately and
comprehensively represent the varied cultures, histories,
events, and values of Hispanic or Latino communities.
``(ii) Specific requirements.--In carrying out its duties,
the Board of Trustees shall ensure that it seeks and utilizes
to its maximum ability guidance from a broad array of
knowledgeable and respected sources reflecting the diversity
of the political viewpoints and authentic experiences held by
Hispanics or Latinos in the United States, and shall seek
such guidance for both the creation and substantial revision
of exhibits and programs.
``(iii) Definitions.--In this subparagraph--
``(I) the term `broad array' means a range of experts and
publications that represent the broad spectrum of Hispanic or
Latino communities, to include varied viewpoints, political
ideologies, cultures, and lived experiences in the United
States; and
``(II) the term `knowledgeable and respected source' means
an individual who has gained through education, publication,
or witnessing an important or historical event, the ability
to advise on at least one unique viewpoint or experience of a
particular Hispanic or Latino community, and whose knowledge
has been relied upon by a notable segment of that community
for education, heritage preservation, or historical purposes,
and includes the work of such an individual which reflects
such ability and knowledge.''.
(d) Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of
this Act and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of the
Smithsonian shall submit to the Committee on Natural
Resources of the House of Representatives, the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on
House Administration of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations
of the Senate, a report on actions taken by the Director of
the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Museum
and the Board of Trustees of the Museum to comply with the
requirements of the amendments made by subsection (c),
including a description of actions taken with respect to
substantial revisions of current exhibits and programs as
well the planning of future exhibits and programs.
(e) This section and the amendments made by this section
shall take effect as if included in the enactment of section
201 of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2021 (20 U.S.C. 80u).
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