United States 119th Congress Status: In Committee 2 D cosponsors

S 1516 — Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act

Last action — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 478.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced April 29, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 18% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 D).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill directs a study of significant historical sites in Illinois.

This bill requires the Department of the Interior to study Cahokia Mounds and nearby mounds in Illinois for potential national designation. The study will evaluate their significance, preservation options, and associated costs.

What this means for you
  • Families: This study may enhance educational opportunities and cultural awareness for families visiting historic sites.
  • Environment: The bill could lead to increased preservation efforts for significant historic and environmental sites.

Summary

Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study ActThis bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of an area made up of (1) Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville, IL; (2) the Emerald Mounds in St. Clair County, Illinois; and (3) the Pulcher Mounds in Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois. (The National Park Service uses special resource studies when determining whether to designate sites as National Historical Sites.)The study mustevaluate the national significance of the study area;determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System;consider other alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the study area by other governmental entities or nonprofit organizations; andidentify cost estimates for any federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with such alternatives.Interior must report on the results of the study and make recommendations to specified congressional committees.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

117 added · 40 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment removes the entire section that originally titled the bill and detailed various findings about the city of Cahokia. The revised text means that the specific findings about Cahokia's role in the Mississippian culture and its historical significance are no longer included in the current version of the bill. This change may influence the bill's focus and how Cahokia's history is presented in this legislative context.

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1516 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
1516 Reported in Senate (RS)] <DOC> Calendar No.
478 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S.
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the Cahokia Mounds, Emerald Mounds, and Pulcher Mounds in the State of Illinois, and for other purposes.
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources July 23, 2026 Reported by Mr.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.
Lee, with an amendment [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the Cahokia Mounds, Emerald Mounds, and Pulcher Mounds in the State of Illinois, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <DELETED>SECTION 1.
SHORT TITLE.</DELETED> <DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act''.</DELETED> <DELETED>SEC.
2.
FINDINGS.</DELETED> <DELETED> Congress finds that--</DELETED> <DELETED> (1) the city of Cahokia--</DELETED> <DELETED> (A) was inhabited from approximately A.D.
to 1400;
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (B) at its peak from A.D.
1050 to 1200-- </DELETED> <DELETED> (i) covered nearly 6 square miles;
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (ii) was home to 10,000 to 20,000 people;</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) more than 120 mounds were built over time at the site of the city of Cahokia;</DELETED> <DELETED> (3) the site of the city of Cahokia is named for the Cahokia subtribe of the Illinois Confederation, who moved into the area in the 1600s;</DELETED> <DELETED> (4) the city of Cahokia was the central hub and largest city of the Mississippian culture that ruled and traded across half of North America, more than 1,250,000 square miles;</DELETED> <DELETED> (5) the city of Cahokia--</DELETED> <DELETED> (A) was the first known organized urbanization and government north of Mexico;
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (B) at its peak, was larger than most European cities, including London;</DELETED> <DELETED> (6) some of the Cahokia Mounds, which were built from A.D.
900 to 1400, still stand as earthen monuments and remnants of Mississippian culture, which is the greatest prehistoric ancient culture in North America, the people of which are ancestors to many of today's First People and Nations;
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (7) the Cahokia Mounds are designated as-- </DELETED> <DELETED> (A) a National Historic Landmark;</DELETED> <DELETED> (B) an Illinois State Historic Site;
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (C) a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site.</DELETED> <DELETED>SEC.
3.
DEFINITIONS.</DELETED> <DELETED> In this Act:</DELETED> <DELETED> (1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) Study area.--The term ``Study Area'' means-- </DELETED> <DELETED> (A) the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site;</DELETED> <DELETED> (B) the Emerald Mounds in St.
Clair County, Illinois;
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (C) the Pulcher Mounds in Monroe and St.
Clair Counties, Illinois.</DELETED> <DELETED>SEC.
4.
SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY.</DELETED> <DELETED> (a) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a special resource study of the Study Area.</DELETED> <DELETED> (b) Contents.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--</DELETED> <DELETED> (1) evaluate the national significance of the Study Area;</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Study Area as a unit of the National Park System;</DELETED> <DELETED> (3) consider other alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the Study Area by--</DELETED> <DELETED> (A) Federal, State, or local governmental entities;
or</DELETED> <DELETED> (B) private and nonprofit organizations;</DELETED> <DELETED> (4) consult with--</DELETED> <DELETED> (A) interested entities of the Federal Government or State or local governmental entities;</DELETED> <DELETED> (B) private and nonprofit organizations;
or</DELETED> <DELETED> (C) any other interested individuals;
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (5) identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives considered under paragraph (3).</DELETED> <DELETED> (c) Applicable Law.--The study required under subsection (a) shall be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United States Code.</DELETED> <DELETED> (d) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to conduct the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report containing-- </DELETED> <DELETED> (1) the results of the study;
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.</DELETED> SECTION 1.
FINDINGS.
Congress finds that-- (1) the city of Cahokia-- (A) was inhabited from approximately A.D.
700 to 1400;
and (B) at its peak from A.D.
1050 to 1200-- (i) covered nearly 6 square miles;
and (ii) was home to 10,000 to 20,000 people;
(2) more than 120 mounds were built over time at the site of the city of Cahokia;
(3) the site of the city of Cahokia is named for the Cahokia subtribe of the Illinois Confederation, who moved into the area in the 1600s;
(4) the city of Cahokia was the central hub and largest city of the Mississippian culture that ruled and traded across half of North America, more than 1,250,000 square miles;
(5) the city of Cahokia-- (A) was the first known organized urbanization and government north of Mexico;
and (B) at its peak, was larger than most European cities, including London;
(6) some of the Cahokia Mounds, which were built from A.D.
to 1400, still stand as earthen monuments and remnants of Mississippian culture, which is the greatest prehistoric ancient culture in North America, the people of which are ancestors to many of today's First People and Nations;
Show all 57 changed rows (17 more)
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and (7) the Cahokia Mounds are designated as-- (A) a National Historic Landmark;
(B) an Illinois State Historic Site;
and (C) a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site.
SEC.
3.
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.
(1) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the meaning given the term ``Indian tribe'' in section 102 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C.
(2) Study area.--The term ``Study Area'' means-- (A) the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site;
5130).
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.
(3) Study area.--The term ``Study Area'' means-- (A) the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site;
4.
3.
(B) private and nonprofit organizations;
(B) applicable Indian Tribes;
or (C) any other interested individuals;
(C) private and nonprofit organizations;
or (D) any other interested individuals;
<all>
Calendar No.
478 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S.
1516 _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the Cahokia Mounds, Emerald Mounds, and Pulcher Mounds in the State of Illinois, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________ July 23, 2026 Reported with an amendment
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Action History

  1. Introduced in Senate

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S2668)

  3. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  4. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  5. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  6. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 478.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 545 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (545)

545 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

What does S 1516 do?
Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study ActThis bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of an area made up of (1) Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville, IL; (2) the Emerald Mounds in St. Clair County, Illinois; and (3) the Pulcher Mounds in Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois. (The National Park Service uses special resource studies when determining whether to designate sites as National Historical Sites.)The study mustevaluate the national significance of the study area;determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System;consider other alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the study area by other governmental entities or nonprofit organizations; andidentify cost estimates for any federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with such alternatives.Interior must report on the results of the study and make recommendations to specified congressional committees.
Who sponsors S 1516?
S 1516 is sponsored by Durbin, Richard J. (Democratic) and Duckworth, Tammy (Democratic).
What is the current status of S 1516?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced April 29, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track S 1516?
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