House Rejects Bill for Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum

The House defeated legislation Thursday that would have authorized construction of a Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum on the National Mall. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), failed by a 204-216 margin.

Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the bill. Reps. Keith Self (R-TX), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Andy Harris (R-MD), and Tim Burchett (R-TN) voted against it. A GOP staffer familiar with the opposition said members worried the museum would promote identity politics and consume scarce space on the National Mall.

Several lawmakers also cited concerns about future changes to the museum’s scope. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) told reporters he feared Democrats would later expand the museum to include transgender individuals. Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) said Republicans should avoid identity politics and questioned placing another museum on the Mall.

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) opposed the project because he believes the National Mall is already too crowded. He recalled that the area was once mostly grass when he was young.

Democrats rejected the legislation over language restricting exhibits to biological women. They also objected to provisions granting the president authority to select an alternative site within 180 days. The Democratic Women’s Caucus said the amended bill traded representation of women for presidential control.

Ranking member Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY) accused Republicans of inserting an ideological requirement into the measure. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) defended the biological-women language, stating the museum should focus on women. ” The bill would have decoupled the women’s museum from the National Museum of the American Latino, ending a pairing that began after a 2020 appropriations measure.

Construction could not begin until federal land was transferred to the Smithsonian. The measure had advanced through committee in March after Republicans added the biological-women requirement and presidential site authority. Bipartisan support collapsed following those changes.