# Plain Language Summary: Equality in the Halls of Congress Act

Right now, National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol building displays statues of important historical figures, but only states are allowed to contribute statues to this collection. This bill changes that rule by allowing U.S. territories to do the same thing. Specifically, it opens the door for American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to each provide and place statues of notable people from their territories in National Statuary Hall.

Currently, these five territories are treated differently from the 50 states when it comes to this honor. The bill simply adds them to the definition of "State" for the purposes of the statuary hall rules, which means they'd have the same rights and abilities as any state to nominate and display statues. This is a symbolic but meaningful change—it recognizes these territories as equal participants in representing American history and culture in one of the nation's most important buildings.

The practical effect is straightforward: each of these territories could now select a historical figure they want to honor and have a statue of that person placed in National Statuary Hall alongside statues from the states. There's no new funding required or major logistical changes—it's essentially removing a barrier that previously excluded these territories from participating in this tradition. For residents of these territories, it means their history and contributions to America would be represented in the Capitol building, just like every state's history is.

Equality in the Halls of Congress Act

Moylan, James C.

Equality in the Halls of Congress Act This bill authorizes the President to invite each U.S. territory to provide and furnish no more than two statues for placement in National Statuary Hall.