S. 5210 – Display America's Art Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated August 7, 2026 at 11:48 PM UTC

The Display America's Art Act creates a program that lets members of Congress borrow visual artworks that are currently in storage at federal institutions, such as the Smithsonian and the National Gallery, and display them in their personal or leadership offices. The goal is to make more of the nation’s art accessible within the Capitol complex and to enhance the work environment for legislators.

Key Provisions

Defines “eligible institution” as any federal‑funded museum or gallery that holds visual art collections, including the Smithsonian and its associated museums.
Defines “Member” as a Member of Congress.
Directs the Architect of the Capitol, in consultation with eligible institutions, to set up and run a loan program for artworks that are not currently on public display.
Allows the Architect and the eligible institution to decide if a particular artwork is available and appropriate for loan to a Member’s office.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

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

Rules and Administration Committee

August 3, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

August 3, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

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

Rules and Administration Committee

August 3, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued August 3, 2026

II

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 5210

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

August 3, 2026

Mr. Kennedy introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration

A BILL

To allow Members of Congress to display works of art that are currently held in storage.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Display America's Art Act.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Eligible institution

The term eligible institution means any institution that owns collections of visual art and receives annual Federal appropriations, including the Smithsonian Institution and its associated museums and galleries (including the National Gallery of Art and the National Portrait Gallery).

(2)

Member

The term Member means a Member of Congress (as defined in section 13101 of title 5, United States Code).

3.

Establishment of the Congressional Art Loan Program

The Architect of the Capitol, in consultation with eligible institutions, shall establish and administer a program under which art owned by an eligible institution that is not on display to the public may be loaned for display in the personal and leadership offices of Members, if the Architect and the eligible institution determine that the art is available and appropriate for display under this section.