Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 478.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, the Emerald Mounds, and the Pulcher Mounds in Illinois. During this study, the Secretary must look at the national significance of these sites and check if it makes sense to make them a unit of the National Park System. The Secretary also has to consider other ways to protect and preserve these locations through government entities or private groups. The bill mandates consultation with applicable Indian Tribes, government entities, and interested individuals during the process. Finally, a report containing the study results, conclusions, and recommendations must be submitted to specific congressional committees within three years of getting funding.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Directly preserves sites related to the ancestors of First Peoples and requires consultation with Indian Tribes.
- Scored +4
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
Authorizes a study to potentially integrate historic sites into the National Park System for better management.
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Brings federal attention and potential investment to rural areas of Illinois.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill requires federal funding for a resource study and potential future acquisition.
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
Authorizes new spending for the Secretary of the Interior to conduct the study.
- Scored -1
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
Potential transition of state-managed sites to federal National Park status.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 3(b)(4) requires the Secretary to consult with applicable Indian Tribes, government entities, and interested individuals, which ensures that native voices and local groups have a say in the future protection and interpretation of these historic mounds.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any explicit sections or provisions outlining negative consequences, burdens, or negative impacts for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Directly preserves sites related to the ancestors of First Peoples and requires consultation with Indian Tribes. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Brings federal attention and potential investment to rural areas of Illinois. Would business owners be better off under this? — Local businesses may benefit from increased tourism linked to National Park status. Would students be better off under this? — Increases historical research and educational sites. Would children be better off under this? — Provides educational resources and preserved history for future generations. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Increases cultural heritage and potential for local economic benefit. Would retired people be better off under this? — Enhances cultural and leisure destinations. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Preserves historical sites for public enjoyment and education. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Increases educational and recreational opportunities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Authorizes a study to potentially integrate historic sites into the National Park System for better management. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Aims to evaluate preservation and protection of historic sites. Does this invest in rural communities? — Invests in the study and potential development of historic sites in rural Illinois counties.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Provides funding for archaeological and historical resource studies.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Recognizes and preserves an ancient North American culture and requires consultation with Indian Tribes.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Potential for increased tourism and local economic activity in Illinois. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Potential boost to local tourism-related small businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — Potential for job creation if the sites are designated as National Park units. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Authorizes new spending for the Secretary of the Interior to conduct the study. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill requires federal funding for a resource study and potential future acquisition.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Expands federal involvement in the management of state historic sites. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Potential transition of state-managed sites to federal National Park status.
- 7/23/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 478.
- 2/4/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 4/29/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S2668)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois