9/11 Memorial and Museum Act

The bill would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to award a one-time grant — between $5 million and $10 million — to the eligible nonprofit entity that currently operates the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site. The grant could only be used for the museum's operation, security, and maintenance. The Secretary would determine the exact amount based on criteria including visitor security needs, preservation of facilities, educational mission, and the ability to attract economically disadvantaged visitors. The grant would be awarded within 90 days of receipt of a completed application, contingent on appropriated funds being available.

The bill would not itself appropriate any money; funding would depend on future appropriations to the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management of DHS. As conditions of receiving the grant, the museum would have to provide free admission for active and retired Armed Forces members, registered September 11 first responders, and victims' family members; offer at least one weekly free public admission period; and allow annual federal audits of its financials, with results made public. The recipient would also report annually to four designated congressional committees on how the funds were obligated or spent.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center Foundation, Inc. — the sole eligible recipient — and its visitors, including active and retired military members, registered September 11 first responders, and family members of attack victims who would gain guaranteed free admission. The Department of Homeland Security would administer the grant. The general public would benefit from at least one free weekly admission window.

For the museum, federal grant funding could offset operating and security costs that currently depend heavily on ticket revenue and donations. For first responders, veterans, and victims' families, guaranteed free admission removes a financial barrier to visiting the site. The annual audit and public disclosure requirements would give Congress and the public visibility into how a federally subsidized institution manages its finances.

The eligible entity would submit an application to the DHS Secretary in the form and manner the Secretary specifies. The Secretary would review the application against statutory criteria and, if satisfied, award the grant within 90 days of receiving a completed application. The grant is conditioned on the entity maintaining free admission policies and submitting to annual federal financial audits — covering ticket sales, donations, grants, salaries, and operations — with results public. The recipient would then report annually to four congressional committees on how funds were obligated and spent for each fiscal year in which funds are used.