YourVoice.Now Summary
Civil LibertiesEnvironmentTransparency & AccountabilityThe women's history museum could go on the National Mall — and Congress would set what it can show.
Civil Liberties
The museum's advisory council would have to give equal space to the range of political views held by women. It would also have to seek guidance from a wide mix of trusted experts.
The bill says the museum may not show any biological male as a female. That covers what it writes, says, or puts on display.
Environment
The law now keeps this museum out of the Mall's Reserve area. The bill would drop that limit and name a site there, unless the President picks another within 180 days.
Transparency & Accountability
The Smithsonian would have to tell Congress how the museum is following these new exhibit rules. The first report is due 120 days after the bill becomes law, then one every two years.
More about this bill
You would notice nothing in your daily life from this bill. It sets where the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum can be built. The museum could go on the National Mall itself, on open land between 14th Street and Independence Avenue Southwest. Today that part of the Mall is off limits to it. The President could still pick a different site within 180 days. The bill also sets what the museum can show. Its subject would be the history and lives of biological women. The museum could not show any biological male as a female. Its advisory council would have to give equal space to a range of political views held by women. The Smithsonian would report to Congress on that every two years.
Congressional Summary
Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum ActThis bill authorizes the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum to be located on a particular site within the Reserve of the National Mall in Washington, DC.Specifically, the bill designates the South Monument site as the location for the museum; however, the President may designate an alternative site within 180 days of the bill's enactment. (The site is the undeveloped land across the National Mall from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.) Administrative jurisdiction of the site must be transferred to the Smithsonian Institution. The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution must have the approval of specified federal entities (e.g., the Commission of Fine Arts) to plan, design, and construct a museum building. The bill (1) outlines the criteria for considering site and design proposals, and (2) requires the Smithsonian Institution to reimburse for costs resulting from the building approval process.The bill directs the museum to be dedicated to preserving, researching, and presenting the history, achievements, and lived experiences of biological women in the United States. Under this bill, the museum may not identify, present, describe, or depict any biological male as a female.In carrying out its duties, the museum's advisory council must (1) seek and utilize guidance from a broad array of knowledgeable and respected sources reflecting the diversity of the political viewpoints and authentic experiences held by women in the United States, and (2) seek guidance for the creation and substantial revision of exhibits and programs.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Reported to House
- Action Date
- 2026-04-23
- Date Added
- 2026-05-20
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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