Green Light for Study: Commission to Explore Creating a National Museum of Irish American History in D.C.

This bill, the "Commission to Study the Creation of a National Museum of Irish American History Act," doesn't build a museum just yet. Instead, it sets up a 23-member commission tasked with figuring out if a national museum dedicated to Irish American history is feasible and how it might work. Think of it as the blueprint phase. These members, appointed by the President and congressional leaders within six months of the Act passing, need relevant chops – expertise in museum management, fundraising, Irish-American history, or public service.

Digging into the Details: What Will the Commission Do?

The commission's main job, outlined in Section 4, is to deliver a comprehensive report to the President and Congress within two years of their first meeting. This report needs to tackle the big questions: Where in the D.C. area could this museum realistically be located? What collections are available, and what would they cost? Crucially, could it operate without federal funding? The commission must develop a fundraising plan focused entirely on public contributions and get an independent review to see if that plan is actually viable for covering construction and ongoing costs. They also need to consider whether the museum should be part of the Smithsonian Institution and how it would impact existing regional Irish-American museums.

The Nuts and Bolts: Staffing, Funding, and Timeline

While the 23 commission members serve without pay (though travel expenses are covered), they can hire an executive director and necessary staff (Section 5). These staff aren't considered federal employees, but their pay aligns with standards for temporary government organizations. To get this study off the ground, the bill authorizes federal funding specifically for the commission's work: $2.1 million for the first year and $1.1 million for the second (Section 8). This money is just for the study phase, not the museum itself. After submitting their main report, the commission has another 12 months to provide recommendations for legislation needed to actually create the museum. The commission wraps up its work 30 days after submitting these final plans (Section 7).