To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to replace the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the United States Capitol with a bust of Thurgood Marshall to be obtained by the Joint Committee on the Library and to remove certain statues from areas of the United States Capitol which are accessible to the public, to remove all statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in the United States Capitol, and for other purposes.

3/8/2023, 8:12 PM

Summary of Bill HR 3005

Bill 117 hr 3005, also known as the "Thurgood Marshall and Confederate Statues Removal Act," aims to make significant changes to the statues and busts displayed in the United States Capitol. The bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to replace the bust of Roger Brooke Taney, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court known for his controversial decision in the Dred Scott case, with a bust of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice.

Additionally, the bill calls for the removal of certain statues from areas of the Capitol accessible to the public. Specifically, all statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America are to be removed from display in the Capitol. This provision is in line with ongoing efforts to remove Confederate symbols and monuments from public spaces due to their association with slavery and racism.

Overall, the bill seeks to promote diversity and inclusivity in the United States Capitol by honoring a trailblazing African American Supreme Court Justice and removing statues that represent a dark chapter in American history.

Congressional Summary of HR 3005

This bill provides for the removal of certain statues and busts from display in the Capitol.

The bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to remove the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court chamber of the Capitol and to obtain a bust of Thurgood Marshall with which to replace it.

The Joint Committee on the Library must remove all Confederate statutes and busts, as well as the statues of Charles Brantley Aycock, John Caldwell Calhoun, and James Paul Clarke, from areas of the Capitol accessible to the public. Furthermore, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) must store each removed statue.

Additionally, the bill

prohibits the display of statues in National Statuary Hall of persons who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America or in the military forces or government of a state while it was in rebellion against the United States;
requires the AOC to identify such statues and the Joint Committee on the Library to arrange for their removal;
requires each statue to be returned to the providing state if the state requests and agrees to pay any transportation-related costs; and
permits a state that has a statue removed to replace the statue.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill HR 3005

Bill HR 3005 is currently in the status of Introduced to Senate since May 24, 2022. Bill HR 3005 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on May 7, 2021. Bill HR 3005's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. as of May 24, 2022

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 3005

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 3005

Primary Policy Focus

Congress

Potential Impact Areas

- Arkansas

- Art, artists, authorship

- Conflicts and wars

- Congressional oversight

- Government buildings, facilities, and property

- House of Representatives

- Judges

- Members of Congress

- Military history

- Military personnel and dependents

- Monuments and memorials

- Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

- Racial and ethnic relations

- Senate

- South Carolina

- State and local government operations

- Supreme Court

- U.S. Capitol

- U.S. history

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 3005

To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to replace the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the United States Capitol with a bust of Thurgood Marshall to be obtained by the Joint Committee on the Library and to remove certain statues from areas of the United States Capitol which are accessible to the public, to remove all statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in the United States Capitol, and for other purposes.