Equality in the Halls of Congress Act
Summary
The "Equality in the Halls of Congress Act" (H.R. 7073) aims to allow territories and commonwealths of the United States to provide statues to the National Statuary Hall Collection. This bill amends existing law to include American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands in the definition of "State" for the purposes of statue contributions. The Architect of the Capitol is tasked with acquiring the statues and implementing the Act.
Expected Effects
If passed, this act would permit the aforementioned territories and commonwealths to be represented in the National Statuary Hall Collection. This would provide increased recognition and representation for these areas within the U.S. Capitol Building. It could also foster a greater sense of inclusion and connection to the national narrative for residents of these territories.
Potential Benefits
- Increased representation for U.S. territories and commonwealths.
- Potential boost to cultural pride and recognition for these regions.
- Enhanced educational opportunities for visitors to learn about the history and culture of these territories.
- Symbolic gesture of inclusion and equality.
- Potential for increased tourism to the territories as a result of the increased recognition.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential costs associated with the creation and transportation of the statues.
- Possible debates over which historical figures should be honored.
- Limited direct economic or social impact.
- May not address more pressing issues faced by the territories.
- Risk of political controversies surrounding statue selection.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the spirit of the Constitution by promoting inclusion and representation. While the Constitution does not explicitly address the National Statuary Hall Collection, Article IV, Section 3, Clause 1 grants Congress the power to admit new states, and by extension, to determine the representation of territories. The bill does not infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).