The U.S. Senate on Monday approved bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) that would authorize the U.S. Department of the Interior to provide grants to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and to support the display of materials and artifacts outlining the former president’s life and legacy.
“We appreciate our Senate colleagues for joining us in passing this bill, and we look forward to moving it through the House,” Sen. Hoeven said.
The senator on Feb. 20 sponsored the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Act, S. 675, alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to contribute funds and artifacts to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, N.D.
“Teddy Roosevelt is an iconic individual in the history of the United States. He embodies the frontier spirit, and his life’s work is pivotal to our state and nation’s heritage of outdoorsmanship,” said Sen. Hoeven. “These qualities were largely shaped by his time in the Dakota Badlands, and it is fitting that we are establishing his presidential library in Medora.”
The legislation, which has advanced to the U.S. House of Representatives, also would require the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation to utilize non-federal funds to provide a 2:1 match for each federal grant awarded, and would prohibit the use of federal grants for maintenance or operations of the interpretive center, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Hoeven.
The measure comes as part of Sen. Hoeven’s efforts to support the library’s establishment, including sponsoring and securing passage of legislation enabling the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation to purchase 93 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in Billings County, N.D., to construct the library.