Overview
Title
To direct the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to obtain a statue of Shirley Chisholm for placement in the United States Capitol.
ELI5 AI
S. 4272 is a plan to make a statue of Shirley Chisholm, an important person, and put it in a special place at the U.S. Capitol so everyone can see it. The people in charge have two years to get everything ready, and they can use the needed money until the job is done.
Summary AI
S. 4272, also known as the "Shirley Chisholm Statue Act," directs the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to acquire a statue of Shirley Chisholm. The statue is to be placed in a permanent public location within the United States Capitol. The bill allows for an agreement to be made within two years to secure the statue and authorizes necessary funding to accomplish this, with the funds remaining available until they are used.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The bill, titled the "Shirley Chisholm Statue Act," aims to honor the legacy of Shirley Chisholm by placing her statue in the United States Capitol. It directs the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to acquire a statue of her within two years from the enactment of the act. The bill further empowers the committee to collaborate with the Architect of the Capitol to finalize agreements and manage the necessary contracts for this project. Additionally, the bill authorizes the allocation of funds as required to execute the project, with these funds available until fully utilized.
Significant Issues
Several issues arise from the bill's current formulation:
Lack of Financial Clarity: The bill does not specify a budget or cost estimates for creating and placing the statue. This lack of detail could lead to financial mismanagement or unchecked overspending.
Undefined Timeline for Funds: The provision allowing funds to remain available until completely spent, without a clear financial timeline, could result in indefinite financial obligations, potentially hampering future fiscal controls.
Potential Delays Without Checkpoints: While the bill sets a two-year deadline for acquiring the statue, it lacks interim checkpoints or consequences for missing this timeline, leading to potential delays in execution.
Vague Language on Committee Discretion: The broad discretion granted to the Joint Committee, described as authority to act "under such terms and conditions as the Joint Committee considers appropriate," might contribute to unclear decision-making processes, which could result in inconsistency or lack of transparency.
Insufficient Context in the Short Title Section: The brief nature of the short title section does not provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of the act's purpose or its wider implications.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Broad Public Impact: The installation of a statue of Shirley Chisholm could serve as a powerful symbol of recognition and respect for her contributions to American history and politics. This visual tribute in the Capitol could inspire visitors and serve as an educational tool, highlighting the importance of diversity and leadership.
Impact on Stakeholders:
Cultural and Educational Institutions: These groups may see a positive impact from the statue's addition as it offers an opportunity to promote awareness regarding Shirley Chisholm's historical role, potentially enhancing educational exhibits and discussions.
Congress and Federal Committees: Given the financial and procedural aspects, the committees involved may face challenges related to budget management and the transparency of decision-making processes. Effective oversight will be necessary to prevent financial mismanagement and ensure timely completion of the project.
Taxpayers: Without clear budget constraints and defined timelines for fund usage, there could be concerns about fiscal responsibility and the efficient use of public funds, which taxpayers ultimately provide.
In summary, while the bill strives to commemorate a prominent figure, careful attention to the outlined issues is necessary to ensure that the project proceeds smoothly and responsibly. Addressing these concerns could help safeguard the project's integrity and maximize its intended positive impact.
Issues
Section 2: The lack of a specific budget or cost estimates for the statue's creation and placement could lead to financial mismanagement or overspending, raising concerns about accountability and oversight of public funds.
Section 2: The allowance for funds to remain available until expended without a definitive timeline could result in indefinite financial commitments and lack of future fiscal control.
Section 2: The timeframe of 'not later than 2 years after the date of enactment' does not include specific interim checkpoints or consequences if the deadline is missed, potentially leading to execution delays in obtaining the statue.
Section 2: The language granting the Joint Committee broad discretion to decide 'under such terms and conditions as the Joint Committee considers appropriate' is vague and might cause ambiguity, potentially leading to inconsistent decisions or lack of transparency in the process.
Section 1: The section is overly brief, lacking detailed information about the purpose or implications of the act, which could make it challenging for stakeholders to understand the full impact or benefits of the statue project.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
In Section 1 of the act, it establishes that the law may be referred to as the “Shirley Chisholm Statue Act”.
2. Placement of statue of Shirley Chisholm in United States Capitol Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill mandates that within two years of its enactment, a committee must secure a statue of Shirley Chisholm for permanent display in the U.S. Capitol. It also allows for necessary funds to be allocated and used for this purpose until fully spent.