{
  "id": "RS21509",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RS21509",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 103247,
      "date": "2003-04-30",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-08T14:46:42.813544",
      "title": "Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 (H.R. 13): Using \"Obscenity\" and \"Decency\" Criteria in Selecting Grantees",
      "summary": "The Museum and Library Services Act of 2003,  H.R. 13 , 108th Congress, as passed by\nthe House, reauthorizes funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It requires the\nDirector to deny funding to any project that has been found to be obscene by a court, and requires\nthe Director, in making grants, to \"tak[e] into consideration general standards of decency and respect\nfor the diverse beliefs and values of the American public.\" The Spending Clause of the Constitution\ngives Congress broad power to appropriate funds, and the content standards in  H.R. 13 \nappears to fall well within congressional prerogatives. They would appear to be vulnerable to\nchallenge only upon a showing that the Institute was implementing them so as to suppress disfavored\nviewpoints. This report will be updated as circumstances require.  (1) \n  \n     1.  \u00a0This report was prepared under the general supervision\nof Larry Eig, Legislative Attorney. For additional\ninformation, see  CRS Report 95-815 ,  Freedom of Speech and Press: Exceptions to the First\nAmendment , and\n CRS Report 95-804 ,  Obscenity and Indecency: Constitutional Principles and Federal\nStatutes , both by\nHenry Cohen, Legislative Attorney.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
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      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "American Law",
    "Constitutional Questions"
  ]
}