To direct the Librarian of Congress to obtain a stained glass panel depicting the seal of the District of Columbia and install the panel among the stained glass panels depicting the seals of States, which overlook the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

119th Congress Introduced by Eleanor Holmes Norton

Directs the Librarian of Congress to install a stained-glass panel of the DC seal among state seals above the Main Reading Room, recognizing DC in the LOC's decorative program.

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1121-1122)

Summary of Bill HR 6308

Bill number: HR 6308
Title: To direct the Librarian of Congress to obtain a stained glass panel depicting the seal of the District of Columbia and install the panel among the stained glass panels depicting the seals of States, which overlook the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.
Introduced: November 25, 2025
Status: Introduced and sponsor remarks recorded; referred to committees

Purpose and Intent

The bill directs the Librarian of Congress to obtain and install a stained glass panel that depicts the seal of the District of Columbia.

The intended location for the DC seal panel is among the existing stained glass panels that depict the seals of the States, in a position overlooking the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

In essence, the bill seeks to add DC’s seal to the decorative program of state-style seals within a prominent area of the Library of Congress, acknowledging DC within the display of recognized seals.

Key Provisions (as stated in the bill overview)

The Librarian of Congress shall obtain a stained glass panel depicting the seal of the District of Columbia.

The panel shall be installed among the stained glass panels that depict the seals of the States, in a location overlooking the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building.

The bill does not specify funding amounts, construction details, or a completion timeline in the provided text.

Legislative action to date: introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on House Administration, with an additional referral to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for provisions within their jurisdictions. The referral includes a period to be determined by the Speaker.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Primary: Librarian of Congress and Library of Congress facilities staff (implementation and procurement of the stained glass panel).

Public/Visitors: Any visitors to the Main Reading Room who view the seals display.

Government symbolism: Acknowledges the District of Columbia within a prominent federal building’s decorative program by including DC among the seals.

Fiscal/operational implications: No funding or cost details are provided in the summary; any costs would typically be addressed in subsequent committee consideration or through appropriations.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

The bill has been introduced and referred to two committees: House Administration (primary) and Transportation and Infrastructure (for provisions within their jurisdiction).

The referral text indicates that the period for committee action is “to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,” signaling an early stage with no fixed timeline for movement.

No floor action, final passage, or Senate steps are indicated in the current information.

Next Steps for Consideration

Committee review and disposition by the House Administration and, as applicable, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

If approved, movement to the full House for passage, then potential consideration by the Senate.

Any amendments could address funding, implementation timeline, or design specifications.