Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act

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

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Nov 15, 2011

Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act - Establishes a museum to be known as the Smithsonian American Latino Museum in the Smithsonian Institution.

Designates the Arts and Industries Building of the Smithsonian Institution, which is located on the National Mall in Washington, DC, including a new underground annex facility, as the location of the Museum.

Authorizes the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to plan and construct the Museum and to prepare a plan of action for the Museum.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Board of Regents to enter into an agreement that allows for the construction of the underground annex facility by the Board in a manner that is harmonious with, and protects the open space and visual sight lines of, the National Mall.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] · D–NJ

Committees

Rules and Administration Committee

18 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Nov 15, 2011
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Nov 15, 2011
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Nov 15, 2011 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 3459 · Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Analyze S.1868 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.1868, 112th Congress: Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/1868

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2011-11-15.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s1868/BILLS-112s1868is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T19:29:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.1868 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Examine S.1868 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.1868, 112th Congress: Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/1868

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2011-11-15.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s1868/BILLS-112s1868is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T19:29:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1868 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Examine S.1868 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.1868, 112th Congress: Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/1868

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2011-11-15.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s1868/BILLS-112s1868is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T19:29:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1868 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.1868, 112th Congress: Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/1868

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2011-11-15.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s1868/BILLS-112s1868is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T19:29:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1868 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.