S. 1304 (119th)Bill Overview

Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act

Arts, Culture, Religion|Arts, Culture, Religion
Cosponsors
Support
Lean Democratic
Introduced
Apr 3, 2025
Discussions
Bill Text
Current stageCommittee

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Introduced
Committee
Floor
President
Law
Congressional Activities
01 · The brief

This bill authorizes the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino to be located within the Reserve of the National Mall, notwithstanding prior restrictions.

It amends prior law to require notification and prompt transfer of jurisdiction when a site is under another federal agency, directs the Museum Board to seek guidance from a broad array of knowledgeable and respected sources representing diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences of Hispanic/Latino communities, requires biennial reports to several congressional committees on compliance, and makes these changes effective as if included in the 2021 authorizing provision.

Passage40/100

Technically narrow and administratively focused, but cultural salience of museum siting and exhibit rules introduces political friction and possible interagency resistance.

CredibilityPartially aligned

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused substantive policy change that amends specific statutory provisions to permit siting the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino within the Reserve, modifies interagency notification/transfer procedures, clarifies curation guidance requirements, and imposes a reporting obligation.

Contention65/100

Progressives focus on representation and Mall visibility versus conservative concern over federal footprint

02 · What it does

Who stands to gain, and who may push back.

Who this appears to help vs burden50% / 50%
Local governments · Federal agenciesFederal agencies
Likely helped
  • Targeted stakeholdersRaises national visibility and recognition for Latino histories and cultures on the National Mall.
  • Local governmentsMay increase tourism and related local spending by attracting museum visitors to a Mall location.
  • Federal agenciesStreamlines interagency site transfer procedures, potentially reducing delays in securing a Mall location.
Likely burdened
  • Targeted stakeholdersLocating the museum on the Reserve could reduce available open space and alter historic Mall landscapes.
  • Federal agenciesMandated transfers may constrain other federal agencies' control over lands and planned uses.
  • Federal agenciesConstruction, operations, and oversight could require substantial federal appropriations and ongoing maintenance fundin…
03 · Why people split

Why the argument around this bill splits.

Progressives focus on representation and Mall visibility versus conservative concern over federal footprint
Progressive85%

Generally supportive because the bill enables a national Latino museum on the National Mall, increasing visibility and recognition.

Concerned that the "diversity of political viewpoints" language could be misused to limit critical or community-driven scholarship; would want curatorial independence and adequate funding guaranteed.

Leans supportive
Centrist70%

Cautiously supportive: the bill addresses representational gaps and provides a clear legal path to site placement.

Wants clarity on costs, environmental and design reviews, and interagency logistics to avoid rushed transfers or unintended consequences.

Leans supportive
Conservative35%

Skeptical overall: while acknowledging cultural recognition, this persona worries about expanding federal footprint on the Reserve, new federal obligations and spending, and precedent for other groups claiming prime Mall sites.

Concerned the bill bypasses usual interagency discretion.

Likely resistant
04 · Can it pass?

The path through Congress.

Introduced

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Committee

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Floor

Still ahead

President

Still ahead

Law

Still ahead

Passage likelihood40/100

Technically narrow and administratively focused, but cultural salience of museum siting and exhibit rules introduces political friction and possible interagency resistance.

Scope and complexity
24%
Scopenarrow
24%
Complexitylow
Why this could stall
  • Whether funding for construction or operation is required or will be provided
  • Potential objections from agencies controlling Mall land or preservation stakeholders
05 · Recent votes

Recent votes on the bill.

No vote history yet

The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.

06 · Go deeper

Go deeper than the headline read.

Included on this page

Progressives focus on representation and Mall visibility versus conservative concern over federal footprint

Technically narrow and administratively focused, but cultural salience of museum siting and exhibit rules introduces political friction and…

Unlocked analysis

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused substantive policy change that amends specific statutory provisions to permit siting the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino within the Re…

Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.

Perspective breakdownsPassage barriersLegislative design reviewStakeholder impact map
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