Commission to Study the Potential Transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the…

Commission to Study the Potential Transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution Act

This act establishes a commission to study the potential transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia to the Smithsonian Institution. The commission must report its plan and recommendations to Congress and the President no later than two years after the commission's first meeting.

The commission shall be composed of eight voting members appointed from among individuals or representatives of institutions with relevant expertise or interests (as further specified in the act). The Senate majority leader, Senate minority leader, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and House minority leader shall each appoint two voting members, with the chair elected by the commission members.

The commission's report must detail (1) the museum's collections and the extent to which such collections are already represented in the Smithsonian Institution; (2) the impact of the museum on educational and governmental efforts to study and counter antisemitism; (3) the museum's financial assets and liabilities; and (4) operating and maintenance costs for the museum. The report must also contain a fundraising plan and legislative recommendations.

The commission terminates 30 days after the final versions of its report, plan, and recommendations are submitted to Congress.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov