View source for United States Semiquincentennial Commission

{{Short description|US Commission on 250th anniversary}}
{{For|the now-dissolved advisory committee established in September 2020 by then–U.S. President Donald Trump to support what he called "patriotic education"|1776 Commission}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
[[File:Semiquincentennial Commission Report Delivery 2.jpg|thumb|Members of the Semiquincentennial Commission present then-[[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Mike Pence]] with a copy of a Congressionally-required report in front of [[Cultural depictions of Abraham Lincoln|a Lincoln portrait]] by George Henry Story, on January 15, 2020, at the Vice President's Office in the [[West Wing]] of the [[White House]]. From left to right: Senator [[Pat Toomey]], Rep. [[Robert Aderholt]], [[Lynn Forney Young]], [[David L. Cohen]], [[Cathy Gillespie]], Vice President Mike Pence; [[James L. Swanson]], Dan DiLella, [[Rosa Gumataotao Rios|Rosie Gumataotao Rios]], and Frank Giordano, executive director of the commission.<ref>{{Cite news |last=DiStefano |first=Joseph N. |date=2022-03-10 |title=U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission backed staff amid concerns over taking Facebook money and a discrimination suit |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |publisher=The Lenfest Institute |url=https://www.inquirer.com/business/phillydeals/250-semiquincentennial-dilella-cohen-toomey-hohns-20220310.html#:~:text=Members%20of%20the%20U.S.%20Quincentennial,Giordano%2C%20executive%20director%20of%20the%20commission. |access-date=2022-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313084738/https://www.inquirer.com/business/phillydeals/250-semiquincentennial-dilella-cohen-toomey-hohns-20220310.html |archive-date=2022-03-13 |issn=0885-6613}}</ref>]]
The '''United States Semiquincentennial Commission''' is the Congressionally-appointed body in charge of promoting and coordinating the [[United States Semiquincentennial]]. The commission has been chaired by [[Rosa Gumataotao Rios|Rosie Rios]] since July 2022.

== Formation ==
Established under then-[[President of the United States]], [[Barack Obama]], {{USStatute|114|196|130|685|2016|07|22}},<ref name="nara">{{cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Kerri |date=2018-05-10 |title=Ferriero to Serve on Semiquincentennial Commission |url=https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/ferriero-to-serve-on-semiquincentennial-commission |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521191621/https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/ferriero-to-serve-on-semiquincentennial-commission |archive-date=2018-05-21 |access-date=2018-05-20 |website=archives.gov |publisher=[[National Archives and Records Administration]]}}</ref> the act was amended by {{USStatute|116|282|130|685|2020|12|31}}, to allow the commission to accept Congressional funding, alter the non voting ex-officio membership, and to make additional technical changes, such as not requiring all meetings to be held in [[Philadelphia]], and instead requiring only one be held each year in the City of Brotherly Love.<ref name="semiquincentennial-commission-amendments-act-2020">{{Cite web |last=Trump |first=Donald J. |author-link=Donald Trump |date=2020-12-31 |title=Statement on Signing the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Amendments Act of 2020 |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-signing-the-united-states-semiquincentennial-commission-amendments-act-2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419060618/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-signing-the-united-states-semiquincentennial-commission-amendments-act-2020 |archive-date=2021-04-19 |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=The American Presidency Project |publisher=[[University of California, Santa Barbara]]}}</ref>

The Commissioners, whom are designated by the [[party leaders of the United States Senate]] and [[Party leaders of the United States House of Representatives|the House]], count a total of eight from [[United States Congress|Congress]], of which, two from each chamber will be designated by their party leader, respectively. In addition, the law provides for the appointment of private citizens, defined as those who are neither employees nor offices of any federal or state or local government. These are appointed by the aforementioned party leadership, with each leader naming four, for a total of sixteen. Among these sixteen, the President of the United States designates a chairperson.

On November 16, 2018,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Landon |first=Bren |date=2018-11-14 |title=Inaugural Meeting of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission |url=https://www.dar.org/national-society/media-center/news-releases/inaugural-meeting-us-semiquincentennial-commission |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812090714/https://www.dar.org/national-society/media-center/news-releases/inaugural-meeting-us-semiquincentennial-commission |archive-date=2021-08-12 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=[[Daughters of the American Revolution]]}}</ref> the then-33 members,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Parry |first=Bill |date=2018-11-27 |title=Crowley joins national commission planning America's 250th anniversary celebration |work=QNS |url=https://qns.com/2018/11/crowley-joins-national-commission-planning-americas-250th-anniversary-celebration/#:~:text=The%20bipartisan%20official%20government%20body%20of%2033 |access-date=2022-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929044742/https://qns.com/2018/11/crowley-joins-national-commission-planning-americas-250th-anniversary-celebration/ |archive-date=2020-09-29}}</ref> of the Commission, who are referred to as Commissioners,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Swanson |first=James L. |author-link=James L. Swanson |date=2021-09-08 |title='America's Original Sin' Review: The Meaning of His Violence; John Wilkes Booth wasn't a fringe character |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=[[News Corp]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-original-sin-review-the-meaning-of-his-violence-11631139332 |access-date=2022-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909023031/https://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-original-sin-review-the-meaning-of-his-violence-11631139332 |archive-date=2021-09-09 |issn=1042-9840}}</ref> were sworn in at [[Independence Hall]] in Philadelphia, which was chosen by Congress "to honor the historical significance of the building as the site of [[Second Continental Congress|deliberations]] and [[Signing of the United States Declaration of Independence|adoption]] of both the United States Declaration of Independence and [[Constitutional Convention (United States)|Constitution]],"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Kerri |date=2018-05-10 |title=Ferriero to Serve on Semiquincentennial Commission |url=https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/ferriero-to-serve-on-semiquincentennial-commission#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20act%2C%20Independence%20Hall%20was%20chosen%20%E2%80%9Cto%20honor%20the%20historical%20significance%20of%20the%20building%20as%20the%20site%20of%20deliberations%20and%20adoption%20of%20both%20the%20United%20States%20Declaration%20of%20Independence%20and%20Constitution.%E2%80%9D |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521191621/https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/ferriero-to-serve-on-semiquincentennial-commission |archive-date=2018-05-21 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=[[National Archives and Records Administration]]}}</ref> and convened their first organizing meeting to begin eight years of planning and organizing for the 250th national birthday celebration.<ref name=":02" /> Chairman DiLella, designated as such by then-President [[Donald Trump]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trump |first=Donald J. |author-link=Donald Trump |date=2018-02-26 |title=Press Release - President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/press-release-president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-personnel-key-74#:~:text=The%20following%20individual,DiLella%20of%20Pennsylvania |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501214524/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/press-release-president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-personnel-key-74 |archive-date=2019-05-01 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=The Presidency Project |publisher=[[University of California, Santa Barbara]]}}</ref> estimated that the group would meet three or four times a year.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last=American Battlefield Trust |author-link=American Battlefield Trust |date=2018-11-19 |title=Inaugural Meeting of U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission Held in Philadelphia |work=[[PR Newswire]] |publisher=[[Cision]] |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inaugural-meeting-of-us-semiquincentennial-commission-held-in-philadelphia-300753145.html |access-date=2022-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119230016/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inaugural-meeting-of-us-semiquincentennial-commission-held-in-philadelphia-300753145.html |archive-date=2018-11-19}}</ref> The new commission originally consisted of 16 private citizens, including chairman DiLella, eight members of Congress and nine federal officials.<ref>{{Cite news |last=DiStefano |first=Joseph N. |date=2018-11-21 |title=Semiquincentennial planners get their Philly start |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |publisher=The Lenfest Institute |url=http://www2.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-phillydeals/semiquincentennial-dilella-giordano-cohen-20181121.html |access-date=2018-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126221403/http://www2.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-phillydeals/semiquincentennial-dilella-giordano-cohen-20181121.html |archive-date=2018-11-26 |issn=0885-6613}}</ref> However, in 2020, the organic law was amended to increase the number of non voting ex officio federal officials to a total of 12, including a member designated by the [[Chief Justice of the United States]],<ref name="semiquincentennial-commission-amendments-act-2020"/> increasing the overall body's membership to 36.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Bravin |first=Jess |author-link=Jess Bravin |date=2022-02-25 |title=American Revolution Anniversary Group Is Accused in Lawsuit of Running 'Boys Club' |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=[[News Corp]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/american-revolution-anniversary-group-is-accused-in-lawsuit-of-running-boys-club-11645822975 |url-access=limited |access-date=2022-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226005401/https://www.wsj.com/articles/american-revolution-anniversary-group-is-accused-in-lawsuit-of-running-boys-club-11645822975 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |issn=1042-9840}}</ref>

All Commission work, which consists of "inclusion — geographic, demographic — [as] a core theme,"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schuessler |first=Jennifer |date=2021-07-02 |title=The Battle for 1776 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/02/arts/1776-2026-A-DIFFERENT-STORY.html#:~:text=Today%2C%20inclusion%20%E2%80%94%20geographic%2C%20demographic%20%E2%80%94%20is%20also%20a%20core%20theme%20for%20those%20organizing%20the%202026%20commemoration%2C%20from%20the%20official%20U.S.%20Semiquincentennial%20Commission%20on%20down. |access-date=2022-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704043938/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/02/arts/1776-2026-A-DIFFERENT-STORY.html |archive-date=2021-07-04 |issn=1553-8095}}</ref> shall cease by its termination, on December 31, 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-15 |title=Nonprofit Sought to Coordinate U.S.A.’s 250th Anniversary Commemoration |url=https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/nonprofit-sought-coordinate-usas-250th-anniversary-commemoration#:~:text=ending%20on%20December%2031%2C%202027 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415163643/https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/nonprofit-sought-coordinate-usas-250th-anniversary-commemoration |archive-date=2022-04-15 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=[[United States Department of the Interior]]}}</ref>

As determined by its organic law, the United States Secretary of the Interior held a competitive application process to select "the nonprofit partner that [would] serve as Administrative Secretariat for the...Commission." On May 4, 2018, the then-[[Civil War Trust]], now known as the American Battlefield Trust, was chosen. The Administrative Secretariat's responsibilities include housing the Commission, raising funds for it and preparing reports to Congress on behalf of the Commission.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-04 |title=Civil War Trust Selected as Nonprofit Partner for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States |url=https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/civil-war-trust-selected-nonprofit-partner-commemoration-250th-anniversary-founding |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504202644/https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/civil-war-trust-selected-nonprofit-partner-commemoration-250th-anniversary-founding |archive-date=2018-05-04 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=[[United States Department of the Interior]]}}</ref> Additionally, the Commission works in tandem with the America250 Foundation, "its private, nonprofit partner,"<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Marks |first=John Garrison |date=2022-03-21 |title=The 250th Birthday of the U.S. Is Just a Few Years Away. Get Ready for Controversy |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=https://time.com/6159112/250th-anniversary-american-history/ |access-date=2022-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322184322/https://time.com/6159112/250th-anniversary-american-history/ |archive-date=2022-03-22 |issn=0040-781X}}</ref> which was founded in 2019 by the Commission and Trust themselves,<ref name=":7" /> and is "the primary service provider to the [Commission]," under a Master Service Agreement enacted in May 2020.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=May 2021 |title=President and CEO, America 250 Foundation |url=https://asalh.org/president-and-ceo-america-250-foundation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415171529/https://asalh.org/president-and-ceo-america-250-foundation/ |archive-date=2022-04-15 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=[[American Association for State and Local History]]}}</ref> The Commission and Foundation both "share a website" and work and identify themselves under ''America250'' banner, in addition to having the DiLella as chairman in both organizations.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Bravin |first=Jess |author-link=Jess Bravin |date=2022-03-07 |title=Facebook Gains Inside Role in U.S. 250th Anniversary Project With $10 Million Agreement |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=[[News Corp]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-gains-inside-role-in-u-s-250th-anniversary-project-with-10-million-agreement-11646661642 |url-access=limited |access-date=2022-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308024909/https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-gains-inside-role-in-u-s-250th-anniversary-project-with-10-million-agreement-11646661642 |archive-date=2022-03-08 |issn=1042-9840}}</ref> In addition, the Commission helped create a [[Congressional caucus]], the Congressional America250 Caucus to act as a liaison between Commission and Congress.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Otte |first=Emilia |date=2021-07-31 |title=States Lay Groundwork for 250-year Anniversary of 1776 |work=The Connecticut Examiner |url=https://ctexaminer.com/2021/07/03/states-lay-groundwork-for-250-year-anniversary-of-1776/#:~:text=Murphy%2C%20Sen.%20Richard%20Blumenthal%20and%20Rep.%20John%20Larson%20are%20members%20of%20the%20Congressional%20America%20250%20caucus%2C%20which%20acts%20as%20a%20liaison%20between%20the%20semiquincentennial%20commission%20and%20Congress.%C2%A0 |access-date=2022-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704105423/https://ctexaminer.com/2021/07/03/states-lay-groundwork-for-250-year-anniversary-of-1776/ |archive-date=2021-07-04}}</ref>

On November 2, 2020, Donald Trump, through Executive Order 13958, determined that the now-dissolved [[1776 Commission]] shall "advise and offer recommendations to the President and the United States Semiquincentennial Commission regarding the Federal Government's plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence and coordinate with relevant external stakeholders on their plans."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trump |first=Donald J. |author-link=Donald Trump |date=2020-11-02 |title=Executive Order 13958—Establishing the President's Advisory 1776 Commission |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-13958-establishing-the-presidents-advisory-1776-commission#:~:text=advise%20and%20offer%20recommendations%20to%20the%20President%20and%20the%20United%20States%20Semiquincentennial%20Commission%20regarding%20the%20Federal%20Government%27s%20plans%20to%20celebrate%20the%20250th%20anniversary%20of%20American%20Independence%20and%20coordinate%20with%20relevant%20external%20stakeholders%20on%20their%20plans |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306142730/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-13958-establishing-the-presidents-advisory-1776-commission |archive-date=2021-03-06 |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=The Presidency Project |publisher=[[University of California, Santa Barbara]]}}</ref> Nevertheless, on the following January 20, the aforesaid Executive Order was rescinded by [[Joe Biden]], through [[Executive Order 13985]], on his first day in office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Biden Jr. |first=Joseph R. |author-link=Joe Biden |date=2021-01-20 |title=Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/#:~:text=Executive%20Order%2013958%20of%20November%202%2C%202020%20(Establishing%20the%20President%E2%80%99s%20Advisory%201776%20Commission)%2C%20is%20hereby%20revoked. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121005645/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ |archive-date=2021-01-21 |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=[[whitehouse.gov]]}}</ref>

== Funding ==
Under its 2016, original enabling legislation, "[a]ll expenditures of the Commission shall be made solely from donated funds," however, the 2020 amendments permitted that "[a]ll expenditures of the Commission shall be made from donations, earned income, and any funds made available."

The [[Office of Management and Budget|Office of Management and Budget's]] (OMB) [[PAYGO]] 2020 annual report details a net PAYGO impact of $0 even after its planned life course up until 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kinneen |first=Kelly A. |date=January 2021 |title=2020 Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act Annual Report |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/annualpaygoreport2020.pdf#page=15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120164256/https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/annualpaygoreport2020.pdf |archive-date=2021-01-20 |access-date=2021-04-17 |website=[[whitehouse.gov]] |page=15 |format=PDF}}</ref> The OMB did not originally score the $8 million contribution under Public Law 116–260, labeling it "as a non-expenditure development transfer," regardless, they corrected the error afterwards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vought |first=Russell T. |author-link=Russell Vought |date=2021-01-15 |title=Seven-Day-After report for the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260). |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/7_Day_After_Report_Omni_1-15-21.pdf#page=24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120164316/https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/7_Day_After_Report_Omni_1-15-21.pdf |archive-date=2021-01-20 |access-date=2021-04-17 |website=[[whitehouse.gov]] |page=22 |format=PDF}}</ref>

For its work in the immediate four-year run-up to the Semiquincentennial, the Commission requested that their appropriations be almost doubled, from $8 million to $15 million. Per the proposed budget for fiscal year 2023:

{{Blockquote|text=As the Commission approaches 2026, increased activities will require escalating funding levels from the public and private sector to fulfill its mission. The Commission will be reviewing, approving and adopting a number of Commemorative National Signature Programs and National Partner Programs during calendar year 2022. The ability to execute these programs during the primary years from July 4, 2024, through July 4, 2026, will require initial operational funding. This early operational program funding will be used to mobilize 10–15 national programs. This funding will be critical to begin the implementation and execution phases of these America250 signature programs. The Commission envisions needing a minimum of one year or longer to build out the initial infrastructure and operational plan for each program to include but not be limited to; staffing, contracting, operational, and fundraising support. For FY 2023, the Commission requests $15,000,000 to continue necessary expenses and to initiate the execution of national programs and operational plans.|author=''The Budget for Fiscal Year 2023''<ref>{{cite web
 |url= https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/leg_fy2023.pdf#page=32
 |title= The budget for Fiscal Year 2023
 |date= March 2022
 |website= [[whitehouse.gov]]
 |page= 42
 |format= PDF
 |access-date= 2022-04-17
 |url-status= live
 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220329204652/https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/leg_fy2023.pdf
 |archive-date= 2022-03-29
 |quote=}}
</ref>}}

In February 2022, it was reported that "[t]he commission [had] received some $12 million in [[federal appropriations]] so far, most of which it has turned over to the America250 Foundation,"<ref name=":7" /> however, the following month, per Commissioner [[James L. Swanson]], the amount ascended to "$20 million so far," probably due to the approval of an additional $8 million in the days following his statement.<ref name=":10" />

According to an internal finance report, the Foundation was primarily funded by the Commission, which transferred $11.8 million of congressional appropriations, as of December 2021.<ref name=":10" /> The second-highest donor was catalogued as an unnamed "national sponsor" that contributed $2 million, which was later revealed to be [[Facebook]], under a June 2021 agreement that provides for a total of $10 million to be paid in instalments.<ref name=":10" />

Congress has designated the following amounts:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-31 |title=A Five Year Update: 2016-2021 Report to the President |url=https://america250.org/uploads/2022/02/Report-to-the-President-II-FINAL-2.16.22.pdf#page=15 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=America250 |page=13 |format=PDF}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"; text-align:center;
|+Federal appropriations
!{{Abbr|FY|Fiscal Year}}
!Amount
!Enabling legislation
!{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
|2019
|$500,000{{Efn|As the 2020 Amendments had not been enacted yet, which provided for federal appropriations for the Commission, the funds were destined "notwithstanding section 9(a)" of the 2016 Act and were specifically destined for use of the Administrative Secretariat, as stated that it "shall be provided to the organization selected under section 9(b) of [the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016]," |name=2019funding|group=lower-alpha}}
|{{USStatute|116|6|133|212|2019|02|15}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-15 |title=Public Law 116-6 |url=https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ6/PLAW-116publ6.pdf#page=200 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127130202/https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ6/PLAW-116publ6.pdf |archive-date=2019-11-27 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=[[United States Congress]] |page=200 |format=PDF}}</ref>
|-
|2020
|$3,300,000{{Efn|As the 2020 Amendments had not been enacted yet, which provided for federal appropriations for the Commission, the funds were destined "notwithstanding section 9(a)" of the 2016 Act and were specifically destined for use of the Administrative Secretariat, as stated that it "shall be provided to the organization selected under section 9(b) of [the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016]," |name=2019funding|group=lower-alpha}}
|{{USStatute|116|94|133|2692|2019|12|20}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-20 |title=Public Law 116-04 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 |url=https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ94/PLAW-116publ94.pdf#page=160 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623073025/https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ94/PLAW-116publ94.pdf |archive-date=2020-06-23 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=[[United States Congress]] |page=160 |format=PDF}}</ref>
|-
|2021
|$8,000,000{{Efn|As the 2020 Amendments had not been enacted yet, which provided for federal appropriations for the Commission, the funds were destined "notwithstanding section 9(a)" of the 2016 Act and were specifically destined for use of the Administrative Secretariat, as stated that it "shall be provided to the organization selected under section 9(b) of [the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016]," |name=2019funding|group=lower-alpha}}
|{{USStatute|116|260|134|1483|2020|12|27}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-27 |title=Public Law 116-260 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 |url=https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ260/PLAW-116publ260.pdf#page=303 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110092719/https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ260/PLAW-116publ260.pdf |archive-date=2021-11-10 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=[[United States Congress]] |page=303 |format=PDF}}</ref>
|-
|2022
|$8,000,000
|Public Law No: [https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2471/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%2C%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%5D%7D&r=6&s=1 117–103]
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-15 |title=H.R.2471 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 |url=https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr2471/BILLS-117hr2471enr.pdf#page=360 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312231205/https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr2471/BILLS-117hr2471enr.pdf |archive-date=2022-03-12 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=[[United States Congress]] |page=360 |format=PDF}}</ref>
|-
|''2023''
|$15,000,000
| rowspan="5" align="center" | ''Projected''{{Efn|The FY2022 Budget Policy forecasted the following appropriations
{{Plainlist|
* 2023	$8,000,000
* 2024	$8,000,000
* 2025	$9,000,000
* 2026	$9,000,000
* 2027	$9,000,000}}
with funding past the Commission's termination, with $9 million for FYs 2028 and 2029 and $10 million for FYs 2030 and 2031.<ref name=":12" /> In a similar manner the FY2023 Budget Policy estimates subsidies amounting to $17 million for FYs 2028 and 2029, with an increase to $18 million for FYs 2030 through 2032.<ref name=":13" />|name=Projectedbudget|group=lower-alpha}}
| rowspan="5" |<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=May 2021 |title=table 12-1. Federal Budget by Agency and Account, FY2022  President's Budget Policy |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/21-1_fy22.pdf#page=15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021044811/https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/21-1_fy22.pdf |archive-date=2021-10-21 |access-date=2021-04-17 |website=[[whitehouse.gov]] |page=15 |format=PDF}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/26-1_fy2023.pdf#page=15 |title=table 26-1. Federal Budget by agency and Account, FY2023 President's Budget Policy |date=2022-03-28 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=[[whitehouse.gov]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328173547/https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/26-1_fy2023.pdf |archive-date=2022-03-28 |url-status=live |page=15 |format=PDF}}</ref>
|-
|''2024''
|$15,000,000
|-
|''2025''
|$16,000,000
|-
|''2026''
|$16,000,000
|-
|''2027''
|$16,000,000
|}

== Controversies ==
During the months of February and March 2022, through a series of ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' [[Exposé (journalism)|exposés]], the Commission, along with the America250 Foundation, were "accused...of a variety of misdeeds (including discrimination, which the foundation denies),"<ref name=":8" /> even though the Foundation had stated that in its presidential and CEO job opening that it was "committed to an inclusive environment where diverse thinking and opinions are shared in a supportive, team-oriented environment."<ref name=":9" /> {{Quote box
| title = 
| quote = {{Plainlist|
*The federal commission charged with 
*commemorating America's 
* semiquincentennial is at war with 
* itself over allegations of 
* featherbedding, favoritism and 
* misappropriation of taxpayer funds.
}}
| author = — [[Jess Bravin]]
| source = ''The Wall Street Journal''
| align = right
| qalign = left
| qstyle = multiline
| salign = right
| qclass = 
| multiline = 
}}

=== Sexism allegations ===
In September 2021, both Anna Laymon, who had served as vice president of programs and planning, as well as Keri Potts, then-vice president of communications and publications, resigned. The former stated that, among "bouts of organizational instability and mismanagement," there was also a lack of "[[Women in positions of power|women in any of the most important positions of power]] and influence at America250," with her appointment being "[[Performative activism|used as window dressing]] with each layer of higher level leadership positions being filled with men."<ref name=":11">{{Cite news |last=Bravin |first=Jess |author-link=Jess Bravin |date=2022-02-10 |title=Nonprofit Planning U.S.’s 250th Anniversary Accused of Discrimination |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=[[News Corp]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/women-accuse-foundation-planning-u-s-250th-anniversary-of-discrimination-11644514646 |access-date=2022-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403212500/https://www.wsj.com/articles/women-accuse-foundation-planning-u-s-250th-anniversary-of-discrimination-11644514646 |archive-date=2022-04-03 |issn=1042-9840}}</ref>

The following December, both Renee Burchard, then-chief administration officer and chief of staff, and Garlock, who had  served as the foundation's chief legal officer, resigned on the same day.<ref name=":11" />

A letter that was sent to Burchard the following month was cause for an inquiry by the office of  Commissioner [[Bonnie Watson Coleman]], one of two Democrat Representatives in the Commission. The day after being contacted by Rep. Watson Coleman's office, "Chairman...DiLella, who serves as chairman of both the commission and the foundation, emailed other leaders saying that "four former senior members raised certain concerns." He promised "a thorough, impartial investigation into the issues raised, to be conducted by a third-party." However, as of March 2022, chief communications officer Michael Frazier stated "that no one had yet been selected to conduct such an investigation."<ref name=":11" />

Burchard's eleven-page resignation letter alleged that the Foundation's legal counsel had determined that Jesse Askew, vice president of branding and marketing, should have been terminated for submitting "fraudulent expense report and unauthorized invoices" totaling $30,000 of federally-appropriated money, which, nevertheless, had been subsequently approved. Since Askew is Black, then-interim Foundation president, Scott Hommel, determined that September to not fire him. Burchard reported that Hommel's decision boiled down to the public relations implications, and, that a soon-to-be employee who happened to be Black should fire Askew, as Hommel declared "when a black guy fires a black guy, then it's not that bad and would be viewed differently."<ref name=":11" />

Askew alleged that Garlock had approved said invoices, however, she stated that "[a]s chief legal officer, I never had the authority to approve, ratify or sign contracts on behalf of the foundation. These agreements, if executed, were entered into over strong and continuous objections."<ref name=":11" />

After the initial news report, three Commissioners, Senator [[Robert Casey, Jr.|Robert Casey]], as well as Representatives [[Dwight Evans (politician)|Dwight Evans]] and Watson Coleman, wrote to DiLella, citing the article, as well as their concerns relating that the misuse of funds "or any discriminations in any way involved in their expenditure in unacceptable." In response, DiLella stated that they allegations were taken "seriously," they had knowledge of the complaints," there would be "plans to hire n outside firm to investigate the allegations," and that he believed that the ensuing results of the investing would entirely vindicate the Commission.<ref name=":7" />

On February 25, the four former executives filed a lawsuit in the [[United States District Court for the District of Columbia]] against the Commission, the Foundation, and the America Battlefield Trust, "alleging mismanagement and discrimination drove them from their jobs." The suit also  alleges that both the Commission and the Trust failed in their oversight roles of the Foundation,<ref name=":7" /> with accusing leadership of "cronyism, self-dealing, mismanagement of funds, potentially unlawful contracting practices and wasteful spending."<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |last=Bravin |first=Jess |author-link=Jess Bravin |date=2022-03-19 |title=Planners Battle Over Marking U.S. 250th Anniversary |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=[[News Corp]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/planners-battle-over-marking-u-s-250th-anniversary-11647702001 |url-access=limited |access-date=2022-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319213536/https://www.wsj.com/articles/planners-battle-over-marking-u-s-250th-anniversary-11647702001 |archive-date=2022-03-19 |issn=1042-9840}}</ref> In addition, it states that DiLella had repeatedly named associates of him to positions of importance, some of the appointments starting off on a voluntary basis and then being transferred to being compensated, a practice, which, in turn created "a '[[wiktionary:boys' club|boys club]],' freezing out the women who were given titles and large responsibilities, but no authority or input into key decisions of the foundation," since, "[f]rom the creation of the Foundation until December 2021, only four women served in executive leadership roles," who, coincidentally, were the four plaintiffs.<ref name=":7" />

The requested redress are lost wages, as well as "a Court-mandated full forensic investigation of the Foundation and Commission with respect to pay practices, employment policies and financial transactions and contracts."<ref name=":7" /> By March 7, Frazier publicly expressed his and DiLella's hopes of commencing a review in the following 30 days.<ref name=":10" />

=== Facebook ===
In March 2022, the Foundation entered into an agreement with [[Meta Platforms]], "giving [[Facebook|Facebook's]] parent an inside role in producing and promoting the Semiquincentennial commemoration in exchange for $10 million." The agreement, which was approved by Chairman DiLella, was criticized for providing Facebook with "too much influence," as well as privileges that might discourage other potential sponsors. Per Commissioner Andrew Hohns, the Commission's rules require that all "contracts that include the use of the commission's...identity" need prior approval by the Commission, nonetheless, none had been, nor had the details of the Facebook contract been made known to the whole of the Commission.<ref name=":10" />

Meta had been "reviewing its association" after the resignation and discrimination reports were made public, nonetheless, they went ahead, becoming America250's exclusive "social connectivity partner, helping "to plan and present the commemorations," as well as appointing Meta CEO [[Mark Zuckerberg]] to its advisory Corporate Leader Council. Furthermore, America250 will support Facebook's [[Occulus Rift|Occulus VR]] in their pursuit to fly drones over federal property "to catalog [[National parks of the United States|National Parks]] and Landmarks," requesting the organization to coordinate meetings between the company and Department Interior staff, as well as "outsourcing some Semiquincentennial observances to Meta."<ref name=":10" />

The deal, which was brokered by 21 Sports and Entertainment Marketing Group Inc. and entitled to a 17% commission, was considered by Anna Laymon, then-vice president of programs and planning, in a recording as "seems...to give Facebook special access to a federal agency," while Rob Prazmark, an officer of the aforementioned broker, revealed that it "had been approved by [[Thomas McGarrigle]], a friend of Mr. DiLella who is serving as the foundation's counsel."<ref name=":10" />

At a September 2021 executive meeting, Renee Burchard, a former-employee like Laymon, "warned that Facebook's involvement could be a deal breaker for other companies," when discussing strategies to lure in other potential corporate sponsors such as Walmart, which has allegedly declined sponsorship invitations.<ref name=":10" />

=== Centralization ===
As was expected, on Wednesday, March 9, 2022,<ref name=":10" /> in a closed-door meeting,<ref name=":14" /> the Commission voted to increase DiLella's power, in response to a meeting the previous September where "three members challenged [his] leadership," which was catalogued as "a lack of decorum and respect for fellow Commissioners."<ref name=":10" /> These "dissenting commissioners" charged DiLella with "improperly transferring the body's functions and federal appropriations to the private America250 Foundation, which he and his allies control."<ref name=":14" />

Commissioner Frazier had stated that "[t]he Governance Committee spent more than 100 hours, including 14 hours in meetings deliberating on comments and suggestions." Some of the changes, which were approved by a 12-10 margin in a Zoom meeting where it was "proceeded to a vote without debate,"<ref name=":14" /> included "[giving] DiLella a stronger control over the commission, with power to appoint officers and committee members, limit commissioners' participation in meetings and withhold information from both the public and other commissioners,"<ref name=":10" /> in tune with DiLella's allege wish that the federal agency "[[Run the government like a business|operate more like a business]]."<ref name=":14" />

In addition, the Commission endorsed DiLella's actions during the previous years that hadn't received Commission authorization by giving blanket approval. For his part, [[Joseph Crowley]], who had served as a Representative in the Commission, and afterwards as a private citizen, had previously declared that he was "not comfortable with rubber stamping everything that has been done over the past three years."<ref name=":10" /> On the March 9 meeting, Crowley, who decried it as "very authoritarian and not at all in the [[Spirit of '76 (sentiment)|Spirit of '76]]," and Representatives [[Robert Aderholt]] and Bonnie Watson Coleman, the lattermost of whom held up a sign that read "I Demand to Be Heard," all requested to speak and were ignored by DiLella.<ref name=":14" />

== List of Commissioners of the United States Semiquincentennial ==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:92%;text-align:center;"
! rowspan="4" |Year
! colspan="8" |Members of Congress
! colspan="16" |Private citizens
! colspan="2" rowspan="4" |Non voting [[Ex officio member|ex officio]]
|-
! colspan="4" |[[United States Senate|Senate]]
! colspan="4" |[[United States House of Representatives|House]]
! colspan="8" |[[United States Senate|Senate]]
! colspan="8" |[[United States House of Representatives|House]]
|-
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |[[Senate Democratic Caucus|Democrat]]
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |[[Senate Republican Caucus|Republican]]
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |[[House Democratic Caucus|Democrat]]
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |[[House Republican Conference|Republican]]
! colspan="4" |[[Senate Democratic Caucus|Democrat]]
! colspan="4" |[[Senate Democratic Caucus|Republican]]
! colspan="4" |[[House Democratic Caucus|Democrat]]
! colspan="4" |[[House Republican Conference|Republican]]
|-
| colspan="16" |* {{nobold|indicates Chairperson, as designated by the [[President of the United States|President]].}}
|-
!2016
| rowspan="29" |[[Bob Casey Jr.]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=2016-11-15 |title=Appointments |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2016/11/15/senate-section/article/S6317-6#:~:text=Members%20of%20the%20Senate%3A%20the%20Honorable%20Robert%20P.%20Casey%2C%20Jr.%20%0Aof%20Pennsylvania%20and%20the%20Honorable%20Jeanne%0A%0A%5B%5BPage%20S6318%5D%5D%0A%0AShaheen%20of%20New%20Hampshire.%20Private%20Citizens%3A%20Dr.%20Andrew%20Hohns%20of%20%0APennsylvania%2C%20David%20Cohen%20of%20Pennsylvania%2C%20Heather%20Murren%20of%20Nevada%2C%20%0Aand%20James%20Swanson%20of%20the%20District%20of%20Columbia. |journal=[[Congressional Record]] |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |volume=162 |issue=163 |pages=S6317-S6318 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413171641/https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2016/11/15/senate-section/article/S6317-6 |archive-date=2022-04-13}}</ref>
| rowspan="29" |[[Jeanne Shaheen|Jeanne Shaheen]]<ref name=":0" />
|''Vacant''
|''Vacant''
| rowspan="3" |''Vacant''
| rowspan="3" |''Vacant''
| rowspan="2" |''Vacant''
| rowspan="2" |''Vacant''
| rowspan="29" |[[David L. Cohen]]<ref name=":0" />
| rowspan="29" |Andrew Hohns<ref name=":0" />
| rowspan="4" |[[Heather Murren]]{{Efn|Resigned before being sworn in.|name=Murren-resignation|group=lower-alpha}}<ref name=":0" />
| rowspan="29" |[[James L. Swanson]]<ref name=":0" />
|''Vacant''
|''Vacant''
|''Vacant''
|''Vacant''
| rowspan="4" |''Vacant''
| rowspan="4" |''Vacant''
| rowspan="4" |''Vacant''
| rowspan="3" |''Vacant''
| rowspan="2" |''Vacant''
| rowspan="2" |''Vacant''
| rowspan="2" |''Vacant''
| rowspan="2" |''Vacant''
! rowspan="18" |Continuous
| rowspan="9" |[[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of the Interior]]
|-
! rowspan="4" |2017
| rowspan="28" |[[Tom Cotton]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |date=2017-02-06 |title=Appointments |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/02/06/senate-section/article/S873-2?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%22%5D%7D#:~:text=Members%20of%20the%20Senate%3A%20the%20Honorable%20Tom%20Cotton%20of%20Arkansas%2C%20and%20the%20%0AHonorable%20Patrick%20Toomey%20of%20Pennsylvania.%0A%20%20Private%20Citizens%3A%20Cathy%20Gillespie%20of%20Virginia%2C%20Daniel%20DiLella%20of%20%0APennsylvania%2C%20Lucas%20Morel%20of%20Virginia%2C%20and%20Tom%20Walker%20of%20Alabama. |journal=[[Congressional Record]] |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |volume=163 |issue=20 |pages=S943 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413155239/https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/02/06/senate-section/article/S873-2 |archive-date=2022-04-13}}</ref>
| rowspan="28" |[[Pat Toomey]]<ref name=":1" />
| rowspan="28" |Daniel DiLella<ref name=":1" />
| rowspan="28" |[[Cathy Gillespie]]<ref name=":1" />
| rowspan="28" |Lucas Morel<ref name=":1" />
| rowspan="28" |Thomas Walker, Jr.<ref name=":1" />
|-
| rowspan="27" |[[Robert Aderholt]]<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |date=2017-02-24 |title=Appointment of Members to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/2/24/house-section/article/h1319-7?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%2C%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%5D%7D&s=2&r=2#:~:text=Mr.%20Meehan%2C%20Pennsylvania%0A%20%20Mr.%20Aderholt%2C%20Alabama%0AAnd%20from%20private%20life%3A%0A%20%20Mr.%20Jim%20Koch%2C%20Newton%2C%20Massachusetts%0A%20%20Mr.%20Val%20Crofts%2C%20Milton%2C%20Wisconsin%0A%20%20Dr.%20Wilfred%20McClay%2C%20Norman%2C%20Oklahoma%0A%20%20Mrs.%20Lynn%20Young%2C%20Rockdale%2C%20Texas |journal=[[Congressional Record]] |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |volume=163 |issue=33 |pages=H1319 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413151843/https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/2/24/house-section/article/h1319-7 |archive-date=2022-04-13}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |date=2019-04-04 |title=Communication from the Republican Leader |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2019/4/4/house-section/article/h3090-2?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%2C%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%5D%7D&s=2&r=14#:~:text=The%20Honorable%20George%20Holding%20of%20North%20Carolina%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20The%20Honorable%20Robert%20B.%20Aderholt%20of%20Alabama |journal=[[Congressional Record]] |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |volume=165 |issue=59 |pages=H3090 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413162454/https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2019/4/4/house-section/article/h3090-2 |archive-date=2022-04-13}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=McCarthy |first=Kevin |author-link=Kevin McCarthy |date=2021-04-05 |title=Communication from the Republican Leader |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2021/04/05/house-section/article/H1711-8?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%2C%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%5D%7D#:~:text=I%20am%20pleased%20to%20appoint%20the%20following%20Members%20to%20the%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20United%20States%20Semiquincentennial%20Commission%3A%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20The%20Honorable%20Robert%20B.%20Aderholt%20of%20Alabama.%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20The%20Honorable%20Maria%20Elvira%20Salazar%20of%20Florida. |journal=[[Congressional Record]] |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |volume=167 |issue=60 |pages=H1771}}</ref>
| rowspan="5" |[[Pat Meehan]]<ref name=":2" />
| rowspan="27" |Val Crofts<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pierce |first=Banjamin |date=2020-02-01 |title=Beloved Milton social studies teacher wins statewide award |work=The Gazette (Janesville, Wisconsin) |url=https://www.gazettextra.com/news/education/beloved-milton-social-studies-teacher-wins-statewide-award/article_4ddc4485-f1ea-5126-85b0-a397e659bda0.html#:~:text=In%202017%2C%20he%20was%20appointed%20by%20then%2DSpeaker%20of%20the%20House%20Paul%20Ryan%20to%20serve%20on%20the%20U.S.%20Semiquincentennial%20Commission%2C%20a%20national%20committee%20formed%20to%20plan%20a%20celebration%20of%20the%20Declaration%20of%20Independence%E2%80%99s%20250th%20anniversary. |access-date=2022-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204171124/https://www.gazettextra.com/news/education/beloved-milton-social-studies-teacher-wins-statewide-award/article_4ddc4485-f1ea-5126-85b0-a397e659bda0.html |archive-date=2020-02-04 |issn=2169-0979}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
| rowspan="27" |[[Jim Koch]]<ref name=":2" />
| rowspan="27" |[[Wilfred M. McClay]]<ref name=":2" />
| rowspan="27" |[[Lynn Forney Young]]<ref name=":2" />
|-
| rowspan="7" |[[Bob Brady]]<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Pelosi |first=Nancy |date=2017-05-19 |title=Communication from the Democratic Leader |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/5/19/house-section/article/h4374-2?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%2C%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%5D%7D&s=2&r=4#:~:text=The%20Honorable%20Robert%20Brady%20of%20Pennsylvania%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20The%20Honorable%20Joseph%20Crowley%20of%20New%20York%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20And%20from%20private%20life%3A%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Richard%20Trumka%20of%20Rockville%2C%20Maryland |journal=[[Congressional Record]] |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |volume=163 |issue=87 |pages=H4374 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413153801/https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/5/19/house-section/article/h4374-2 |archive-date=2022-04-13}}</ref>
| rowspan="7" |[[Joe Crowley]]<ref name=":5" />
| rowspan="17" |[[Richard Trumka]]<ref name=":5" />
|-
|Resigned
| rowspan="3" |[[Grant Hill]]<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last=Pelosi |first=Nancy |author-link=Nancy Pelosi |date=2017-07-03 |title=Communication from the Democratic Leader |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/7/3/house-section/article/h5381-7?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%2C%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%5D%7D&s=2&r=3#:~:text=Grant%20Hill%20of%20Orlando%2C%20Florida%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Amy%20Gutmann%20of%20Philadelphia%2C%20Pennsylvania%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Noah%20Griffin%20of%20San%20Francisco%2C%20California |journal=[[Congressional Record]] |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |volume=163 |issue=113 |pages=H5381 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413152824/https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/7/3/house-section/article/h5381-7 |archive-date=2022-04-13}}</ref>
| rowspan="25" |Noah Griffin<ref name=":6" />
| rowspan="3" |[[Amy Gutmann]]<ref name=":6" />
|-
! rowspan="4" |2018
|''Vacant''
|-
| rowspan="23" |* [[Rosa Gumataotao Rios]]<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2018-01-11 |title=Appointment |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2018/01/11/senate-section/article/S170-3#:~:text=Rosa%20G.%20Rios%20of%20Maryland |journal=[[Congressional Record]] |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |volume=164 |issue=7 |pages=S170 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413160337/https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2018/01/11/senate-section/article/S170-3 |archive-date=2022-04-13}}</ref>
|-
|Resigned
|Resigned
|Resigned
|-
|''Vacant''
| rowspan="2" |''Vacant''
| rowspan="16" |''Vacant''
|-
! rowspan="9" |2019
| rowspan="12" |[[George Holding]]<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2018-05-21 |title=Appointment of Member to United States Semiquincentennial Commission |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2018/5/21/house-section/article/h4246-9?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%2C%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%5D%7D&s=2&r=1#:~:text=Mr.%20Holding%2C%20North%20Carolina |journal=[[Congressional Record]] |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |volume=164 |issue=83 |pages=H4246 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413151015/https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2018/5/21/house-section/article/h4246-9?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%2C%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%5D%7D&s=2&r=1 |archive-date=2022-04-13}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
| rowspan="2" |[[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]]
|-
|Finished term
|Finished term
| rowspan="19" |[[Bob Brady]]<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2019-09-06 |title=Communication from the Republican Leader |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2019/9/6/house-section/article/h7533-6?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%2C%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%5D%7D&s=2&r=19#:~:text=Mr.%20Robert%20A.%20Brady%2C%20Philadelphia%2C%20Pennsylvania |journal=[[Congressional Record]] |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |volume=165 |issue=142 |pages=H7533 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413164046/https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2019/9/6/house-section/article/h7533-6 |archive-date=2022-04-13}}</ref>
|-
|''Vacant''
| rowspan="2" |''Vacant''
| rowspan="2" |[[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]]
|-
| rowspan="17" |[[Dwight Evans (politician)|Dwight Evans]]<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2019-01-08 |title=Appointment of Member to United States Semiquincentennial Commission |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2019/01/08/house-section/article/H234-4#:~:text=Mr.%20Evans%2C%20Pennsylvania |journal=[[Congressional Record]] |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |volume=165 |issue=3 |pages=H234 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413161222/https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2019/01/08/house-section/article/H234-4 |archive-date=2022-04-13}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="16" |[[Bonnie Watson Coleman]]<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2019-02-22 |title=Appointment of Member to United States Semiquincentennial Commission |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2019/2/22/house-section/article/h2045-6?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%2C%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%5D%7D&s=2&r=11#:~:text=Mrs.%20Watson%20Coleman%2C%20New%20Jersey |journal=[[Congressional Record]] |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |volume=165 |issue=33 |pages=H2045 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413161637/https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2019/2/22/house-section/article/h2045-6 |archive-date=2022-04-13}}</ref>
|[[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]]
|-
|[[United States Secretary of Education|Secretary of Education]]
|-
|[[Librarian of Congress]]
|-
|[[Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution]]
|-
|[[Archivist of the United States]]
|-
! rowspan="2" |2020
!Removed
in 2020
|Presiding officer of the [[Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities]]
|-
! rowspan="10" |Added
in 2020
| rowspan="7" |Chairperson of the [[National Endowment for the Arts]]
|-
! rowspan="5" |2021
|Died
|-
|Finished term
| rowspan="8" |''Vacant''
|-
|''Vacant''
|-
| rowspan="6" |[[María Elvira Salazar|Maria Elvira Salazar]]<ref name=":4" />
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[Joe Crowley]]<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2021-10-08 |title=Communication of the Republican Leader |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2021/10/8/house-section/article/h5604-1?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%2C%22%5C%22semiquincentennial%5C%22%22%5D%7D&s=4&r=13#:~:text=Mr.%20Joseph%20F.%20Crowley%2C%20Arlington%2C%20Virginia |journal=[[Congressional Record]] |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |volume=167 |issue=178 |pages=H5604 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413170608/https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2021/10/8/house-section/article/h5604-1 |archive-date=2022-04-13}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="4" |2022
|-
|Chairperson of the [[National Endowment for the Humanities]]
|-
|Director of the [[Institute of Museum and Library Services]]
|-
|[[Anthony Kennedy]] (as designated by the [[Chief Justice of the United States]])
|}

== See also ==

* [[Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission]]
* [[United States Semiquincentennial]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [https://america250.org/about/leadership/commission/ List of current Commissioners]
* [https://dockets.justia.com/docket/district-of-columbia/dcdce/1:2022cv00497/240557 Discrimination lawsuit against America250] on [[Justia]]
{{United States Semiquincentennial Commission}}

[[Category:2016 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:2026 in the United States]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:United States Declaration of Independence anniversaries]]
[[Category:United States national commissions]]
[[Category:United States Semiquincentennial]]