To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the Capitol.

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Bill ID: 119/hr/250
Last Updated: July 12, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

ID: H001085

Follow the money

The bill

To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the Capitol.

HR. 250, 119th Congress.

The sponsor

Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$66,000 raised

20 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

February 26, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater. HR 250: because what America really needs is another statue in the Capitol, and who better to immortalize than Benjamin Franklin? I mean, it's not like we have more pressing issues to address.

Let's dissect this farce. The bill creates a new regulation requiring the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin by December 31, 2025. Because, clearly, the most critical issue facing our nation is the lack of Ben Franklin statues in the Capitol. I'm sure the Founding Fathers are rolling in their graves, thinking, "You know what would really honor my legacy? A statue in a building that's already overflowing with them."

Affected industries and sectors? Oh, please. This bill is a love letter to the art world and the Capitol's interior decorators. The only sector that will benefit from this is the one that produces bronze statues of dead guys.

Compliance requirements and timelines? Ha! There aren't any. It's just a feel-good bill designed to make politicians look like they're doing something meaningful. "Hey, look, we passed a bill! We must be working hard!" The only timeline is for the Joint Committee to get around to buying a statue within two years. I'm sure that'll keep them up at night.

Enforcement mechanisms and penalties? Don't make me laugh. There are none. This bill is about as enforceable as a participation trophy.

Economic and operational impacts? Well, let's see... the cost of the statue will likely be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars (because, art). And what will it achieve? A nice photo op for politicians to pretend they care about American history. The operational impact will be precisely zero. It'll just collect dust and become another forgotten relic in the Capitol.

In short, HR 250 is a classic case of " Legislative-itis": a disease characterized by an overwhelming urge to pass meaningless bills that serve only to feed politicians' egos. Symptoms include: pointless regulations, wasted taxpayer dollars, and a complete disregard for actual problems facing the nation. Diagnosis? Terminal stupidity. Treatment? None available.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$66,000
16 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$66,000

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
KEARNS, ANDREW
2 transactions
$6,600
2
MANDEL, STEVE
2 transactions
$6,600
3
STERNLIEB, JANINE
2 transactions
$6,600
4
HALFAKER, DAWN
2 transactions
$6,600
5
HASHEMI, MARY
1 transaction
$3,300
6
KAFKER, ROGER
1 transaction
$3,300
7
MORGAN, HOWARD
1 transaction
$3,300
8
KENNEY, PETER
1 transaction
$3,300
9
MANDEL, SUE
1 transaction
$3,300
10
KJELLERUP, PETER
1 transaction
$3,300
11
METZ, MITCHELL
1 transaction
$3,300
12
CABOT, AMANDA
1 transaction
$3,300
13
BASILE, ROBERT
1 transaction
$3,300
14
ZIMMERMAN, EDWARD
1 transaction
$3,300
15
ERICKSEN, EUGENE
1 transaction
$3,300
16
KAHN, RONALD N.
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

ID: F000466

Top Contributors

10

1
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,500
Dec 31, 2024
2
STATA FAMILY OFFICE
Organization
$500
Apr 26, 2024
3
ASHER, ROBERT B.
IndividualGWYNEDD VALLEY, PA
$10,000
Oct 9, 2024
4
ASHER, ROBERT B.
ASHER CHOCOLATESCHAIRMAN
IndividualGWYNEDD VALLEY, PA
$10,000
Sep 30, 2024
5
LEVY, EDWARD JR
EDW C LEVY COCHAIRMAN
IndividualBIRMINGHAM, MI
$6,600
Feb 26, 2024
6
CROTTY, THOMAS
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$6,600
Feb 27, 2024
7
EVANS, ROGER
GREYLOCK PARTNERSPARTNER EMERITUS
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$6,600
Feb 27, 2024
8
LEACH, RONALD
NPX ONECHAIRMAN & CEO
IndividualGENEVA, IL
$6,600
Feb 28, 2024
9
MCCLAIN, MARK
SAILPOINTCEO
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$6,600
Mar 2, 2024
10
CROTTY, THOMAS
IndividualSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$6,600
Mar 8, 2024

Rep. McClain, Lisa C. [R-MI-9]

ID: M001136

Top Contributors

10

1
A & ALL WASTE LLC
OrganizationOAKLAND TWP, MI
$1,000
Oct 21, 2024
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$1,000
Dec 31, 2023
3
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$1,000
Apr 20, 2023
4
SALT RIVER PIMA MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$1,000
Apr 20, 2023
5
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,000
Sep 11, 2023
6
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$1,000
Sep 30, 2023
7
BANKE, BARBARA R.
IndividualGEYSERVILLE, CA
$6,600
Nov 16, 2023
8
SAMONA, MAZIN
WILD BILL'S TOBACCOCEO
IndividualTROY, MI
$6,600
Sep 15, 2023
9
ALKHAFAJI, AMMAR
W INVESTORS GROUPPRINCIPAL
IndividualSOUTHFIELD, MI
$6,600
Jul 24, 2023
10
YALDO, RUDI
PEARL TRADING LLCCEO
IndividualBLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
$6,600
Jul 21, 2023

Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

ID: M001196

Top Contributors

10

1
KARLA'S MARKET
OrganizationREVERE, MA
$500
Jul 25, 2023
2
BLOOM, BRADLEY
N/ANOT EMPLOYED
IndividualWELLESLEY, MA
$6,600
Nov 15, 2024
3
BREDENBERG, DIANE M.
N/ANOT EMPLOYED
IndividualSOUTHLAKE, TX
$6,600
Nov 15, 2024
4
SHAH, NIRAJ
WAYFAIRRETAIL
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$6,600
Nov 17, 2024
5
CORCORAN, JAMES
AREX CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LPINVESTOR
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Nov 20, 2024
6
D'AMICO, ALEXANDER
MCKINSEY & COMPANYCONSULTANT
IndividualNEW CANAAN, CT
$6,600
Nov 18, 2024
7
HASTINGS, MARK
PSG EQUITYINVESTOR
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$6,600
Nov 20, 2024
8
LEDLEY, CHARLES H.
LIMINALITY CAPITAL LPINVESTOR
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$6,600
Nov 21, 2024
9
PEELER, DAVID RANDY
BERKSHIRE PARTNERSMANAGING DIRECTOR
IndividualCAMBRIDGE, MA
$6,600
Nov 18, 2024
10
SHORTSLEEVE, BRIAN
M33 GROWTHVENTURE CAPITAL
IndividualWELLESLEY, MA
$6,600
Nov 21, 2024

Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]

ID: M001204

Top Contributors

10

1
PRIDE MOBILITY PRODUCTS CORP
OrganizationDURYEA, PA
$2,500
Sep 18, 2024
2
COTLER, YUDACUFSKI, HUEBNER
OrganizationSAINT CLAIR, PA
$1,000
Apr 23, 2024
3
DOWD, JOHN J
SUNDANCE VACATIONSPRESIDENT
IndividualLEHIGHTON, PA
$6,600
Mar 25, 2024
4
PEYKOFF, ANDY
NIAGARA BOTTLING, LLCCEO
IndividualLAS VEGAS, NV
$6,600
Mar 22, 2024
5
DOWD, JOHN J
SUNDANCE VACATIONSPRESIDENT
IndividualLEHIGHTON, PA
$6,600
Sep 18, 2024
6
ROWAN, MARC J
APOLLO MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Aug 23, 2023
7
ROWAN, CAROLYN
CAROLYN ROWAN COLLECTIONOWNER
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Aug 23, 2023
8
RICH, BRIAN R MR. JR
GILBERTON COAL CO.EXECUTIVE SALES
IndividualCONSHOHOCKEN, PA
$6,600
Oct 24, 2024
9
VOLPE, ELLEN M
SELFHOMEMAKER
IndividualWAVERLY TOWNSHIP, PA
$5,800
May 31, 2023
10
VOLPE, CHARLES J
EXCALIBUR INSURANCE MGMTPRESIDENT
IndividualWAVERLY TOWNSHIP, PA
$5,800
May 31, 2023

Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

ID: W000822

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13]

ID: J000302

Top Contributors

10

1
SPELL, JOE
TIDES MEDICALCEO
IndividualLAFAYETTE, LA
$3,500
Nov 4, 2024
2
SPELL, JOE
TIDES MEDICALCEO
IndividualLAFAYETTE, LA
$3,500
Nov 4, 2024
3
EDATTEL, PAUL
TODD STRATEGY GROUPCONSULTANT
IndividualFALLS CHURCH, VA
$3,300
Mar 28, 2024
4
KIMBELL, JEFFREY
SELF-EMPLOYEDHEALTH CARE CONSULTANT
IndividualPARK CITY, UT
$3,300
Feb 13, 2024
5
SHOAP, VICKI
IndividualLURGAN, PA
$3,300
Mar 26, 2024
6
WALKER, KENT
GOOGLE LLCPRESIDENT, GLOBAL AFFAIRS
IndividualMOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
$3,300
Mar 23, 2024
7
ALAM, MURAD
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITYPHYSICIAN
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Mar 7, 2023
8
EDATTEL, PAUL
TODD STRATEGY LLCCONSULTANT
IndividualFALLS CHURCH, VA
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
9
KIMBELL, JEFFREY
SELF-EMPLOYEDHEALTH CARE CONSULTANT
IndividualPARK CITY, UT
$3,300
Feb 23, 2023
10
RAYDER, MARK
ALSTON BIRD, LLPSENIOR POLICY ADVISOR
IndividualALEXANDRIA, VA
$3,300
Mar 20, 2023

Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

ID: K000399

Top Contributors

10

1
AIPAC- EARMARKS
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$2,000
Oct 22, 2024
2
PEAKE FOR SENATE
COMLYNCHBURG, VA
$500
Jan 9, 2024
3
PEAKE FOR SENATE
COMLYNCHBURG, VA
$250
Jan 9, 2024
4
KEHOE, MICHAEL
KINSALE MGMT INCCEO
IndividualRICHMOND, VA
$13,200
Jun 8, 2023
5
MITCHUM, ELZA
C & M INDUSTRIESPRESIDENT
IndividualCHESAPEAKE, VA
$6,600
Oct 18, 2023
6
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualMIAMI BEACH, FL
$6,600
Oct 17, 2023
7
PERRY, J DOUGLAS
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualNORFOLK, VA
$6,600
Nov 6, 2023
8
WEEKLEY, RICHARD
SELF EMPLOYEDREAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$6,600
Nov 8, 2023
9
GILLIAM, MARVIN
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualBRISTOL, VA
$6,600
Mar 30, 2024
10
BOHANNON, DAVID
LONDON BRIDGE TRADING INC.PRESIDENT
IndividualVIRGINIA BEACH, VA
$6,600
May 23, 2024

Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]

ID: C001061

Top Contributors

10

1
BARNES LAW FIRM, LLC
OrganizationKANSAS CITY, MO
$2,500
Jul 21, 2023
2
GRAHAM-ANDEBRHAN LLC
OrganizationKANSAS CITY, MO
$1,125
Jul 7, 2023
3
OBERHELMAN, DIANE
CULLINAN PROPERTIES LTD.EXECUTIVE
IndividualEDWARDS, IL
$3,300
Nov 20, 2024
4
EMERSON, BILL
ROCKET COMPANIESPRESIDENT
IndividualBLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
$3,300
Dec 19, 2023
5
RAYANT, GARRY
SELF EMPLOYEDDENTIST
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2023
6
RAYANT, GARRY
SELF EMPLOYEDDENTIST
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2023
7
HALL, DAVID
HALLMARKEXECUTIVE
IndividualKANSAS CITY, MO
$3,300
Jan 25, 2024
8
HALL, DON JR.
HALLMARK CARDSEXECUTIVE
IndividualKANSAS CITY, MO
$3,300
Jan 25, 2024
9
LOVIER, HEATHER
ROCKET MORTGAGECHIEF CLIENT EXP. OFF.
IndividualROCKWOOD, MI
$3,300
Jun 28, 2024
10
GRAY, JON
BLACKSTONEPRESIDENT
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
May 15, 2024

Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]

ID: M000317

Top Contributors

10

1
M&T BANK
OrganizationMOUNT KISCO, NY
$118
Sep 21, 2024
2
M&T BANK
OrganizationMOUNT KISCO, NY
$101
Sep 21, 2024
3
SIDIROPOULOS, JIM MR.
DELPHI PHCONTRACTOR
IndividualSTATEN ISLAND, NY
$5,600
Jul 23, 2024
4
BERGER, RICHARD MR.
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualHOBOKEN, NJ
$5,000
May 17, 2024
5
LOEB, JOHN L. MR. JR
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualPURCHASE, NY
$5,000
Apr 22, 2024
6
BAUMRIND, MARTIN M. MR.
SELFLANDLORD
IndividualBROOKLYN, NY
$5,000
Sep 16, 2024
7
DUIT, JAMES A
CONTRIBUTION OF CONCEPTION LLCEXEC
IndividualEDMOND, OK
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
8
DUIT, PAMELA A
CONTRIBUTION OF CONCEPTION LLCEXEC
IndividualEDMOND, OK
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
9
LAUDER, RONALD S.
SELF EMPLOYEDBUSINESSMAN
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
10
BANKE, BARBARA R. MS.
CHAIRMANJACKSON FAMILY WINES
IndividualGEYSERVILLE, CA
$3,300
Nov 17, 2023

Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

ID: D000624

Top Contributors

10

1
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationDORR, MI
$3,300
Dec 13, 2023
2
NOTTAWASEPPI HURON BAND OF THE POTAWATOMI
OrganizationFULTON, MI
$3,300
Mar 28, 2024
3
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationDORR, MI
$3,300
Oct 16, 2024
4
FORD, CYNTHIA
NACIVIC PHILANTHROPIST
IndividualGROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI
$3,300
Oct 14, 2024
5
FORD, EDSEL B. II
FORD MOTOR COMPANYCONSULTANT
IndividualGROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI
$3,300
Oct 14, 2024
6
MEIJER, HENDRIK
MEIJER, INC.EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
IndividualGRAND RAPIDS, MI
$3,300
Oct 25, 2024
7
CARTER ALTMAN, LYNDA
SELF EMPLOYEDMUSICIAN
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Nov 6, 2023
8
DEBBANE, RAYMOND
THE INVUS GROUPCEO
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$3,300
Dec 4, 2023
9
FARES, NIJAD
LINKINVESTOR
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Nov 30, 2023
10
III, WILLIAM H. GATES
BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY & BILL & MELINDA GPHILANTHROPIST
IndividualREDMOND, WA
$3,300
Oct 19, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 56 nodes and 32 connections (54 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $104,800

Top Donors - Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

Showing top 16 donors by contribution amount

16 Individuals

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