Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD)
National Council on African American History and Culture Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill proposes the creation of a National Council on African American History and Culture within the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council would consist of 12 members appointed by the President with Senate approval. Members must be private citizens with expertise or a commitment to African American history and culture. The group is tasked with monitoring cultural trends, evaluating programs, and making policy recommendations. Additionally, the Council is required to meet at least twice a year and submit an annual report. This specific Council is scheduled to terminate 10 years after the Act is enacted.
Yes
- Scored +7
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill establishes a dedicated council to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture.
- Scored +5
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill promotes the preservation and celebration of African American history and culture through a dedicated national council.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Preservation of History and Culture: The Council is tasked with gathering information on historical developments and cultural trends to determine if national policy is needed to support preservation efforts (Section 2, subsection a, 3; Section 2, subsection c, 2).
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Program Evaluation: The Council will evaluate National Endowment for the Humanities programs to see if they are successfully contributing to the celebration of African American history and culture (Section 2, subsection c, 3).
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Promoting Understanding and Recognition: The Council will develop policies to promote the understanding of history and celebrate African Americans as contributors to the country's economic, cultural, and political success (Section 2, subsection c, 4).
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Equitable Representation: In appointing members, the President must give due regard to the representation of women, people of color, and individuals with disabilities involved in the humanities (Section 2, subsection a, 3, A).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Temporary Nature of the Council: The Council is set to terminate 10 years after the date of the Act's enactment, meaning its work and oversight will eventually end (Section 2, subsection e).
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 Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill establishes a dedicated council to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill promotes the preservation and celebration of African American history and culture through a dedicated national council.
- 2/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon