House Resolution Sets Up Working Group to Add Women Lawgivers’ Portraits to Capitol Hall

This resolution sets the stage for a significant, albeit symbolic, change in the Hall of the House of Representatives by establishing an advisory working group dedicated to commissioning and installing relief portraits of women lawgivers. Essentially, Congress is creating a committee to figure out how to put more women’s faces on the walls where the laws are made. This isn't a bill that changes your taxes or your commute, but it’s a policy move about who gets remembered in American history.

The Committee That Reads the Fine Print

The group being formed is stacked with the people who actually run the House’s day-to-day operations and finances. It includes the Clerk of the House, the House Curator, and the Architect of the Capitol’s Curator. They’re also bringing in the Chair and ranking members from the House Administration and Legislative Branch Appropriations Committees—the people who control the budget and the rules. Crucially, the resolution mandates the inclusion of the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Bipartisan Women’s Caucus. This mix ensures that any recommendation is grounded in both historical expertise and administrative reality. It’s a smart way to guarantee the art gets installed without tripping over budget or physical logistics.

The Mission: Finding the Right Faces and the Right Spots

The working group has a specific, four-point mandate. First, they have to recommend two specific women whose historical significance as lawgivers merits inclusion in the Hall. No vague suggestions here—they have to name names. Second, they must plan out the entire process: how to fund the artwork, how to commission the artists, and the overall logistics. For people who care about how public money is spent, this step defines the financial scope of the project.

Third, and perhaps most controversially, the group must decide exactly where these new portraits will go, including whether they should replace any of the existing portraits currently installed. This detail is important because it opens the door to a potential debate about historical preservation versus updating representation. Finally, they need to create a timeline for installation that minimizes disruption to the House’s legislative business. If you work in construction or manufacturing, you know how crucial a non-disruptive installation schedule is, and Congress is no different.

Why This Matters to More Than Just Historians

While this resolution doesn't directly affect your paycheck, it’s about making sure the country’s legal history reflects the full scope of contributors. The resolution requires the working group to consult with “leading, reputable scholars” on law and women's history, as well as staff from the Library of Congress. This means the final recommendations will be backed by serious academic rigor, not just political preference.

For anyone interested in government transparency, the deadline is clear: the report must be submitted to House leadership within one year of the resolution’s adoption or by the end of the 119th Congress, whichever comes first. This ensures the process moves forward quickly. In short, this resolution establishes a professional, structured process to address a historical oversight, ensuring that when the history books are written—or in this case, when the portraits are hung—they are more inclusive.