Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1303
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Arts, Culture, Religion
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-14T05:10:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act (S. 1303) aims to authorize the location of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum within the protected Reserve of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., while also strengthening requirements for diverse representation in the museum's exhibits and programs. It builds on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which established the museum, by removing barriers to site selection and ensuring balanced, inclusive content.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is titled the "Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act."
- Site Authorization in National Mall Reserve:
- Overrides existing laws (including restrictions in U.S. Code Title 40) to allow the museum to be built within the National Mall Reserve, a protected area in the heart of Washington, D.C.
- Amends prior legislation to eliminate exceptions that previously barred construction there.
- Site Selection on Federal Land:
- Requires the Smithsonian's Board of Regents to notify any federal agency controlling potential sites before designating one.
- Mandates that the agency head inform key congressional committees (e.g., Rules and Administration, Appropriations) of the designation and initiate a land or structure transfer to the Smithsonian as soon as possible.
- Diversity in Exhibits and Programs:
- Updates the museum's governing council's duties to ensure exhibits and programs reflect a wide range of women's cultures, histories, events, and values in the U.S.
- Requires seeking input from diverse experts representing various political ideologies, cultures, and lived experiences of women.
- Defines key terms: A "broad array" includes experts from different women's communities; a "knowledgeable and respected source" is someone with recognized expertise (e.g., through education, publications, or historical involvement) relied upon by their community for education or heritage.
- Reporting Requirements:
- The Smithsonian Secretary must submit reports to multiple congressional committees within 120 days of enactment and every two years thereafter, detailing compliance with diversity rules, including revisions to existing exhibits/programs and plans for future ones.
- Effective Date: Applies retroactively as if part of the 2021 Appropriations Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Removes legal barriers (e.g., under 40 U.S.C. § 8908(c)) that previously prohibited new construction in the National Mall Reserve, enabling a prime location for the museum.
- Revises the 2021 Act's site selection process (20 U.S.C. § 80t-5(b)) to streamline notifications and mandatory land transfers between federal agencies.
- Expands the council's responsibilities under the 2021 Act (20 U.S.C. § 80t-2(b)(4)) from general inclusivity to specific mandates for political viewpoint diversity and authentic experiences, with new definitions and reporting obligations.
- Introduces biennial congressional oversight, which was not previously required.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Smithsonian Institution gains flexibility in site selection and land acquisition, potentially requiring other federal agencies (e.g., those managing National Mall properties) to transfer jurisdiction, which could involve administrative and logistical adjustments.
- Citizens: Enhances public access to a major museum on women's history in a central location, with content designed to represent diverse U.S. women's perspectives, promoting education and cultural preservation for a broader audience.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic museum operations and land use.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Smithsonian Institution: Primary beneficiary, including its Board of Regents, museum director, and council, which must implement diversity guidelines and reporting.
- Federal Agencies: Entities with jurisdiction over potential museum sites (e.g., National Park Service for the Mall) face notification and transfer duties.
- Congressional Committees: Groups like Senate Rules and Administration, House Natural Resources, and Appropriations receive reports and oversee compliance.
- Women's Communities and Experts: Diverse groups (varying by politics, culture, and experiences) are positioned to provide input, ensuring representation in museum content.
- General Public: Visitors and educators benefit from an inclusive national museum.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Overrides specific federal land-use restrictions (e.g., Commemorative Works Act protections for the National Mall), potentially setting a precedent for future Smithsonian expansions while mandating inter-agency cooperation to avoid disputes over property transfers.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; aligns with Congress's authority over federal lands and institutions under Article I, but emphasizes First Amendment-like values in ensuring diverse viewpoints in public education without restricting speech.
- Political: Promotes inclusivity by requiring balanced representation of political ideologies in a federally funded museum, which could foster bipartisan support (as seen in cosponsors from both parties) but invite scrutiny over content curation to avoid perceived bias in historical narratives. The reporting mechanism enhances congressional accountability without imposing funding cuts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- 2025-04-03: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act — issued 2025-04-03 — PDF (6 pages)