Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act

Bill Number: H.R. 1329
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Arts, Culture, Religion
Status: Failed House
Latest Action: 2026-05-21: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Last Updated: 2026-06-30T08:07:20Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill, titled the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act, authorizes the construction of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum on a specific site within the Reserve of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It also refines the museum's mission to focus on biological women and ensures balanced representation of political viewpoints in its exhibits and programs.

Key Provisions

Site Designation: Designates the "South Monument site" (bordered by 14th Street SW, Jefferson Drive SW, Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, and Independence Avenue SW) on the National Mall as the museum's location. The President may select an alternative site within 180 days of enactment.
Land Transfer: Requires the relevant federal agency to transfer administrative control of the site to the Smithsonian Institution as soon as practicable.
Construction Approval: Permits the Smithsonian's Board of Regents to plan, design, and build the museum, subject to approval by the Commission of Fine Arts, National Capital Planning Commission, National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, and the federal agency head. Design must prioritize protecting open space, public use, and natural resources; use durable materials; and include compatible landscaping.
Cost Reimbursement: Smithsonian must reimburse the federal agency for any costs related to the approval process within 60 days.
Museum Mission: Limits the museum to preserving, researching, and presenting the history and experiences of biological women in the U.S.; prohibits depicting biological males as female.
Exhibit Diversity: Requires the museum's advisory council to ensure exhibits and programs reflect a balanced range of political viewpoints and authentic experiences of U.S. women, drawing from diverse experts and sources.
Reporting: Mandates the Smithsonian Secretary to submit reports to multiple congressional committees every two years (starting 120 days after enactment) detailing compliance, including updates to exhibits and programs.
Effective Date: Applies retroactively as if part of the original 2021 law establishing the museum.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Removes prior restrictions barring the museum from the National Mall Reserve (from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, 20 U.S.C. § 80t-5(d)).
Specifies a prime National Mall location (previously undefined or restricted).
Adds explicit focus on biological women and viewpoint diversity to the museum's purpose and council duties (new subsections in 20 U.S.C. §§ 80t-1, 80t-2).
Introduces construction criteria, reimbursement rules, and mandatory congressional reporting (new provisions in 20 U.S.C. § 80t-5).

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Accelerates site transfer and construction on federal land; requires approvals from planning commissions, potentially streamlining but adding oversight.
Citizens: Provides public access to a new museum on the National Mall celebrating women's history, with content emphasizing biological sex distinctions and political balance, which may influence educational and cultural experiences.
Smithsonian Institution: Gains jurisdiction over prime real estate but bears construction costs and reporting burdens; shapes museum content to specific ideological and biological criteria.
No direct international relations impacts.

Main Stakeholders

Smithsonian Institution: Primary beneficiary, responsible for development and operations.
Federal Agencies: Entities controlling the site (e.g., National Park Service) must transfer land and coordinate approvals.
Planning Bodies: Commission of Fine Arts, National Capital Planning Commission, National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission—provide design oversight.
U.S. Women and Public: Beneficiaries of museum exhibits; affected groups include diverse political, cultural, and experiential communities emphasized in content rules.
Congress: Receives ongoing compliance reports from multiple committees.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Codifies biological sex definitions in federal museum law, potentially setting precedent for sex-based distinctions in public institutions; enforceable via congressional oversight and reporting.
Constitutional: May raise free speech or equal protection questions if content restrictions (e.g., on biological males or viewpoint balance) are challenged as viewpoint discrimination, though framed as mission scope.
Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (over 200 cosponsors from both parties) signals broad support, but provisions on biology and political diversity could spark debates on cultural representation in taxpayer-funded spaces. Retroactive effect integrates seamlessly with prior law.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]

Cosponsors (232)

Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Bynum, Janelle [D-OR-5], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. James, John [R-MI-10], Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34] and 182 more

Recent Actions

2026-05-21: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-05-21: On passage Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 216 (Roll no. 188). (Roll call 188)
2026-05-21: Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On passage Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 216 (Roll no. 188). (Roll call 188)
2026-05-21: On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 209 (Roll no. 187). (Roll call 187)
2026-05-21: The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
2026-05-21: Ms. Randall moved to recommit to the Committee on House Administration. (CR H3692)
2026-05-21: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3707-3710)
2026-05-21: Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the House resumed consideration of H.R. 1329.
2026-05-21: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 1329 is postponed.
2026-05-21: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-05-21: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1329.
2026-05-21: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1041, H.R. 6047 and H.R. 1329. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1041, H.R. 6047, and H.R. 1329 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
2026-05-21: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1300. (consideration: CR H3692-3699; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3692-3693)
2026-05-20: Rule H. Res. 1300 passed House.
2026-05-19: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1300 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1041, H.R. 6047 and H.R. 1329. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1041, H.R. 6047, and H.R. 1329 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.

Bill Versions

Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (6 pages)
Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act — issued 2026-04-23 — PDF (12 pages)