{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://turner.house.gov/2024/12/senate-sends-president-bill-to-study-transfer-of-weitzman-museum-of-american-jewish-history-transfer-to-the-smithsonian", "Senate Sends President Bill to Study Transfer of Weitzman Museum of American Jewish History Transfer to the Smithsonian", "2024-12-04", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "OH", "Michael R. Turner", "T000463", "turner.house.gov", "turner", "https://turner.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Reps. Mike Turner (OH-10), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Brendan Boyle (PA-2), and Max Miller (OH-7) announced that their bill, the Commission to Study the Potential Transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution Act (H.R. 7764), passed the Senate last night and now heads to the President\u2019s desk. This commission is a critical step in transferring the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, a highly regarded museum dedicated to the history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans, to the Smithsonian Institution. If transferred, the Weitzman would serve as the Smithsonian\u2019s only museum specifically dedicated to the stories of Jewish Americans.\n\nThe bill passed the House in September, and with its unanimous Senate approval, now goes to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law. Sen. Bob Casey (PA) led the companion bill in the Senate.\n\n\u201cThere is broad bipartisan, bicameral support in preserving and promoting the contributions of Jewish Americans via The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History,\u201d said Turner. \u201cWith passage of this legislation and the President\u2019s expected signature, we move one step closer to bringing the museum and its collections to the Smithsonian to be shared with a global audience.\u201d\n\n\u201cEducating all Americans, from all over the country, about the amazing contributions Jewish Americans made to our nation, not only raises awareness but helps dispel harmful prejudices about our community.\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cWelcoming the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History into the larger Smithsonian family would bring that vision closer to reality. Education about the Jewish American community is a critical tool in the fight against hate, and there is no better place for that learning than the Weitzman. I am proud to champion this legislation and am thrilled to see it reach the President\u2019s desk.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith antisemitism on the rise, the Weitzman Museum is playing a vital role in educating the next generation about the contributions Jewish Americans have made to our Nation and stemming the tide of hate,\u201d said Casey. \u201cIntegrating the Weitzman with the Smithsonian will cement the museum\u2019s place as one of America\u2019s essential institutions.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis critical bill marks an important step toward the Weitzman Museum becoming part of the world-renowned Smithsonian Institution. As the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience, the Weitzman plays a vital role in preserving and sharing a key chapter of our nation\u2019s history,\u201d said Boyle. \u201cIntegrating the museum into the Smithsonian family would not only expand its reach and resources but also ensure its continued ability to educate and inspire future generations about the rich culture and contributions of American Jews.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is a treasure that highlights the remarkable contributions of Jewish Americans to our nation\u2019s history and culture,\u201dsaid Miller. \u201cBringing the Weitzman to the Smithsonian will ensure these stories are preserved and shared on an even larger stage. At a time when antisemitism and hate are on the rise, expanding education about Jewish American history is more important than ever. I am honored to be part of this bipartisan effort, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Commission to Study the Potential Transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution Act would create a commission to study the potential transfer of the Weitzman Museum to the Smithsonian Institution, which is the necessary first step to put the Weitzman Museum on a path toward acquisition by the Smithsonian. Specifically:\n\nThe commission will consist of eight members, with two members appointed by the majority and minority leaders of each chamber.\n\nThe commission will write a report to Congress with a recommendation on whether the Weitzman Museum should be transferred to the Smithsonian Institution.\n\nThe report will also detail the current collections of the Museum; the impact of the Museum on educational and governmental efforts to study and counter antisemitism; the financial assets and liabilities of the Museum and costs of operating and maintaining the Museum; the governance and organizational structure of the Museum should it be transferred; and the impact such a transfer would have on the Smithsonian Institution.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://turner.house.gov/2024/12/senate-sends-president-bill-to-study-transfer-of-weitzman-museum-of-american-jewish-history-transfer-to-the-smithsonian"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.6428629644215107, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}