Bills · S 3890
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 3890Arts, Culture, Religion
National Council on African American History and Culture Act of 2026
INTRO FEB 12· LAST ACTION FEB 12
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
5
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it creates a dedicated body within the federal government to ensure that African American history and culture receive focused attention and support. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to new or improved national policies and programs designed to preserve important historical sites, support cultural institutions, and enhance public understanding of African Americans' contributions to the country. This could mean more accessible resources for education and cultural enrichment for communities nationwide.
If the bill does not pass, there would be no specific, bipartisan council exclusively tasked with monitoring and recommending national policies on African American history and culture within the NEH, meaning these efforts would continue under existing, broader mandates without a dedicated, politically balanced advisory body. This bill aims to elevate and provide specific guidance for these crucial historical and cultural preservation efforts.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a 12-member National Council on African American History and Culture within the National Endowment for the Humanities.
This creates a new, dedicated federal advisory body focused specifically on African American history and culture.
PROVISION 02
Requires Council members to be private citizens with expertise in African American history and culture, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
This ensures the Council is comprised of qualified experts from outside the federal government with high-level approval.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that the 12 Council members be equally divided between individuals affiliated with the Democratic and Republican parties (6 from each).
This provision aims to ensure bipartisan representation and decision-making on issues related to African American history and culture.
PROVISION 04
Tasks the Council with preparing annual reports, evaluating NEH programs, gathering information, and recommending national policies related to African American history and culture.
These duties give the Council significant influence over federal efforts to preserve, celebrate, and understand African American contributions.
PROVISION 05
The Council is set to terminate 10 years after the bill is enacted.
This provides a sunset clause, meaning the Council is not a permanent body and its effectiveness would need to be reevaluated after a decade.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 5
D· Maryland
YRS IN OFFICE
1
BILLS LED
38
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 5 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 12
Introduced in Senate
FEB 12
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 3890
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 12, 2026
Last actionFeb 12, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 12, 2026
Senate BillS 3890Arts, Culture, Religion
National Council on African American History and Culture Act of 2026
INTRODUCED FEB 12, 2026· LAST ACTION FEB 12, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
5
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
