Smithsonian Integrity and Historical Independence Act of 2026

The Congress finds the following:

(1) Museums, archives, and cultural institutions supported by the taxpayer serve the American people by preserving, researching, and interpreting the Nation’s history and heritage.

(2) The United States has a responsibility to ensure that these institutions present accurate, evidence-based accounts of American history, including achievements, conflicts, injustices, and the experiences of diverse communities.

(3) Scholarly independence and professional standards in museums are essential to maintaining public trust.

(4) Government officials have a legitimate role in oversight of taxpayer-funded institutions but should not direct historical conclusions, suppress scholarship, or require institutions to adopt particular political viewpoints.

(5) Public confidence in museums, archives, and cultural institutions depends on transparency, accountability, and freedom from partisan interference.

(6) America’s history includes both extraordinary achievements and painful chapters.

(7) Museums should not avoid difficult historical truths, nor should they serve as instruments of partisan political messaging.