Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History Act

This bill, known as the "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History Act," aims to codify Executive Order 14253 to counter what it identifies as a widespread effort to rewrite American history with ideological narratives. It asserts that this revisionist movement undermines U.S. achievements and portrays founding principles negatively, citing examples from federal institutions like the Smithsonian and Independence National Historical Park. The bill's policy is to restore federal historical sites and museums as uplifting monuments that celebrate America's heritage, progress, and advancement of liberty, rather than serving as platforms for ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives. A central provision, "Saving Our Smithsonian," tasks the Vice President with ensuring the Smithsonian Institution adheres to these policies, including removing content that divides Americans based on race or violates federal civil rights laws. It also mandates that future appropriations to the Smithsonian prohibit expenditures on exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values, promote inconsistent ideologies, or divide Americans by race. Specifically, the American Women's History Museum must celebrate women's achievements without recognizing men as women, prohibiting content that promotes male athletes in women's sports, gender-affirming medicine for minors, or anything degrading the biological nature of sex. Furthermore, the bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide funding for infrastructure improvements at Independence National Historical Park by July 4, 2026. The Secretary must also review public monuments and memorials within the Department's jurisdiction that may have been removed or changed since January 1, 2020, to perpetuate a "false reconstruction" or "recognize men as women." The bill requires action to reinstate pre-existing monuments and ensure all such properties focus on the "greatness of achievements" and do not contain content that disparages Americans, divides by race, or recognizes men as women.