THEODORE ROOSEVELT PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY MUSEUM ARTIFACTS ACT

On 2026-06-22, Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) delivered a floor speech titled "THEODORE ROOSEVELT PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY MUSEUM ARTIFACTS ACT" in the Senate.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY MUSEUM ARTIFACTS ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 104 (Monday, June 22, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 104 (Monday, June 22, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2981-S2982] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] THEODORE ROOSEVELT PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY MUSEUM ARTIFACTS ACT Mr. HOEVEN. Madam President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of S. 675 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 675) to contribute funds and artifacts to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. HOEVEN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the substitute amendment, which is at the desk, be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment (No. 5897), in the nature of a substitute, was agreed to as follows: (Purpose: In the nature of a substitute) Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation. [[Page S2982]] (2) Library.--The term ``Library'' means the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library to be located in Medora, North Dakota. (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. SEC. 3. FEDERAL CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD ESTABLISHMENT OF THE THEODORE ROOSEVELT PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY. (a) Grants.-- (1) Authorization.--To the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts and subject to paragraphs (2) through (4), the Secretary may provide to the Foundation grants in an amount not to exceed a total of $50,000,000 for the establishment of the Library-- (A) to preserve and make available to the public materials relating to the life of President Theodore Roosevelt; and (B) to provide interpretive and educational services that communicate the meaning of the life of Theodore Roosevelt. (2) Matching requirement.--The Secretary may not provide a grant under paragraph (1) until the date on which the Foundation certifies to the Secretary that the Foundation has received an amount equal to not less than $100,000,000 from funds for the Library-- (A) contributed by the State of North Dakota; or (B) raised from non-Federal sources during the period beginning on the date on which the Foundation was established and ending on the date of the certification. (3) Prohibition on use of funds.--Grant funds provided under this subsection may not be used for the maintenance or operation of the Library. (4) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection requires an increase in the applicable suballocation made pursuant to section 302(b) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(b)). (b) Federal Artifacts and Objects Relating to Theodore Roosevelt.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary may enter into 1 or more agreements with the Foundation to provide for a loan to the Foundation from Federal agencies under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary (including the National Park Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service) of historic, educational, artistic, natural, and other museum artifacts and objects, particularly artifacts and objects that are not on display to the public, without monetary consideration, subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be necessary for the preservation and exhibition of the artifacts and objects loaned to the Foundation. (c) Non-Federal Operation.--The Secretary or any other Federal entity shall have no involvement in the operation of the Library, except at the request of the non-Federal entity responsible for the operation of the Library in accordance with applicable laws (including regulations). The bill (S. 675), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed. Mr. HOEVEN. Madam President, I would like to thank my colleagues for joining me just now in--well, I had hoped he would be here. Unfortunately, I guess he is running a little late. So I have to say I just have to thank my colleague for joining me in passing this legislation. S. 675 authorizes Federal funding in the use of artifacts and materials for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, ND. I want to thank Senator Blumenthal and also Senator Cramer for cosponsoring the legislation with me. Our legislation will help ensure that current and future generations of Americans can learn from and be inspired by one of our Nation's most consequential Presidents--Theodore Roosevelt. It builds upon our yearslong effort to establish a library. In 2020, Congress approved our legislation, enabling the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation to purchase 93 acres of Forest Service land at fair market value for the library. We worked to secure rancher support to preserve local control and consultation on the project. Also, we worked to protect the availability of acres for grazing, including a commitment from the Forest Service to reaffirm the existing Medora Grazing Association agreement for a full 10-year period. In just days, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is scheduled to open. As Americans prepare to celebrate our Nation's 250th anniversary, visitors from across the country and around the world will soon be able to experience a library dedicated to the life, leadership, and conservation ethic of our Nation's 26th President. Few places influenced Theodore Roosevelt more than North Dakota. As President Roosevelt proudly claimed, he would never have become President had it not been for his time in the Dakota Territory. President Roosevelt first traveled to the North Dakota Badlands in 1883 to hunt bison. He returned the following year during one of the most difficult periods of his life, grieving the loss of both his wife and his mother on the same day--February 14, 1884. The 3 formative years he spent embracing ranching and the ``strenuous life'' helped shape the perspective and character of a leader who would go on to become President, a champion for conservation, and one of the most influential figures in our Nation's history. It is only fitting that the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is being built adjacent to another national treasure named in his honor: Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Our legislation provides a commonsense framework to support this nationally significant institution. It authorizes up to $50 million in Federal funding but only after the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation raises twice that amount from non-Federal sources. It also authorizes the library foundation to enter into agreements to allow for the display of federally held artifacts and objects relating to Theodore Roosevelt to be displayed and shared with the public. This legislation is consistent with similar support provided by Congress for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, IL. Congress recognized then that preserving the history and legacy of President Lincoln was a national priority, and the same is true today for President Roosevelt. The central values of Theodore Roosevelt's life--leadership, citizenship, and conservation--continue to inspire Americans today. His life reminds us that challenges can be transformed into opportunities and that places and people often shape great leaders around them. As the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library prepares to welcome its first visitors, we have the opportunity today to reaffirm our commitment to preserving that legacy for generations to come. With that, I again thank my colleagues for agreeing to pass this legislation today. I yield the floor. ____________________

Referenced legislation: S675, S675