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Bills/119th Congress · House

H.R. 7028

Introduced

To require the Secretary of State to submit a notification to Congress prior to obligating funds for certain art-related purchases, and for other purposes.

Sponsor
RTim Burchett· Tennessee
Introduced
January 13, 2026
Policy area
International Affairs
Latest action
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 1.January 21, 2026
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7028 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7028

To require the Secretary of State to submit a notification to Congress 
prior to obligating funds for certain art-related purchases, and for 
other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 13, 2026

Mr. Burchett introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To require the Secretary of State to submit a notification to Congress 
prior to obligating funds for certain art-related purchases, and for 
other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION FOR CERTAIN ART-RELATED 
PURCHASES.

(a) Congressional Notification for Certain Purchases Under the Art 
in Embassies Program.--Not later than 15 days before the obligation of 
funds under the Art in Embassies Program for any purchase of a piece of 
art or related curatorial service exceeding $37,500, the Secretary of 
State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
notification that includes--
(1) a description of the piece of art or curatorial service 
to be purchased;
(2) the purpose of the purchase and the intended diplomatic 
facility or location of the piece of art or curatorial service;
(3) the estimated cost of the purchase; and
(4) the source of funds to be used for the purchase.
(b) Congressional Notification for Certain Purchases Under a 
Residential Design Program.--Not later than 15 days before the 
obligation of funds under any residential design program for any 
purchase of a piece of art, furnishings, or design elements exceeding 
$37,500, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a notification that includes--
(1) a description of the item or items to be purchased;
(2) the purpose and intended location of the item or items 
to be purchased;
(3) the estimated cost of the purchase; and
(4) the source of funds to be used for the purchase.
(c) Congressional Notification for Certain Purchases Under the 
Cultural Heritage Program.--Not later than 15 days before the 
obligation of funds under the Cultural Heritage Program for any single 
project, acquisition, or commissioning of art, design, or restoration 
service exceeding $37,500, the Secretary shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a notification that includes--
(1) a description of the project, item, or activity for 
which the obligation of funds will be made;
(2) the purpose and intended location of the project, item, 
or activity;
(3) the estimated cost of the project, item, or activity; 
and
(4) the source of funds to be used for the project, item, 
or activity.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
Senate.
(2) Art.--The term ``art'' includes paintings, sculptures, 
photographs, industrial design, and craft art.
(3) Art in embassies program.--The term ``Art in Embassies 
Program'' means the program administered by the Department of 
State to acquire, commission, loan, or exhibit works of art for 
display at United States diplomatic facilities.
(4) Cultural heritage program.--The term ``Cultural 
Heritage Program'' means the program administered by the Bureau 
of Overseas Buildings Operations that supports the 
preservation, restoration, or enhancement of culturally 
significant elements, artwork, or architecture at United States 
diplomatic facilities.
(5) Residential design program.--The term ``residential 
design program'' means any program administered by the Bureau 
of Overseas Buildings Operations for the design, furnishing, or 
decoration of representational residences or chief-of-mission 
residences.
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