Protecting Our History Act of 2026

(a) Prohibition on Executive interference. No executive order, presidential directive, or other action of the executive branch shall have force or effect to—

(1) restrict, limit, or prohibit any Institution from researching, developing, or presenting exhibits and programs;

(2) direct the content of exhibits or educational programming of any Institution; or

(3) condition Federal appropriations on adherence to political or ideological requirements with respect to any Institution.

(b) Preservation of governing authority. Any decision with respect to the content of exhibits and programs of any Institution shall rest exclusively with—

(1) in the case of the Smithsonian Institution, the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, subject to division B of this Act with respect to the National Museum of African American History and Culture; and

(2) in the case of any other Institution, the governing bodies of such Institution, in collaboration with the professional staff of the Institution and consistent with the founding charter and mission of the Institution.

(c) Anti-Retaliation. The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution shall adopt and implement written policies that—

(1) prohibit retaliation, coercion, or interference against any museum director, scholar, curator, archivist, or researcher based on the substance of historical, scientific, or curatorial work; and

(2) establish internal procedures for reporting and addressing violations of this subsection.