[IMGCAP(1)]Legislation that would create a blue-ribbon commission to study the idea of a national museum of American Latino history passed the House on Tuesday under suspension of the rules. The measure had been approved by the House in the 109th Congress but did not reach the Senate floor. Also on Tuesday, Sens. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced a companion bill, along with 21 other co-sponsors.

H.R. 512, authored by Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), would form a 23-member panel charged with convening a national conference to discuss such a museum, as well as crafting a public-private fundraising blueprint and a legislative “plan of action” on how to make the concept a reality.

— Bree Hocking