WASHINGTON -Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, on Friday reintroduced his legislation to support the establishment of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, according to information from Hoeven’s office.

His bipartisan bill is cosponsored by Sens. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is scheduled to open in Medora in the summer of 2026.

Hoeven previously secured the bill’s passage by the U.S. Senate during the 118th Congress, and he is reintroducing the legislation as the House did not act on the bill prior to the end of the last Congress, according to the information from Hoeven’s office.

The bill would:

– Authorize the Department of the Interior to provide grants to establish the presidential library and support the display of materials. The legislation follows the model of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois, which authorized the use of materials and objects relating to Abraham Lincoln, as well as $50 million over five years for its establishment under fiscal year 2001 appropriations legislation.

– Require the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation to utilize non-federal funds to provide a 2:1 match for each federal grant awarded.

– Prohibit the use of federal grants for maintenance or operations of the interpretive center.

“The legacy of Theodore Roosevelt is inseparable from the history of North Dakota, with his time in the Dakota Territory having fundamentally shaped his perspective and character,” Hoeven said in a news release. “Between the Theodore Roosevelt Roosevelt National Park and this new presidential library, our state will honor his life and his lasting contributions to our nation. That’s exactly what we seek to help accomplish through our legislation.”

“Teddy Roosevelt’s life was so much more than his presidency,” Cramer said in the release. “Our bill will help bring artifacts held by the federal government to Medora. Visitors from around the world will be immersed in the life of our favorite Rough Rider and experience firsthand the Badlands that shaped him.”