House to Vote on Site for Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum

The House is scheduled to vote Thursday on legislation that would designate a location on the National Mall for the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. The measure, introduced in February 2025 by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., currently has 231 co-sponsors, including 127 Democrats.

Recent revisions to the bill have prompted many House Democrats to announce they will not support the measure in its current form.

The revised legislation also gives the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents authority to plan, design, and construct the museum, subject to approval by architectural planning boards that include members appointed by the president. Democratic lawmakers have objected to provisions that they say shift control over the site and design process.

The Democratic Women’s Caucus announced formal opposition to the bill on Monday. Members cited an amendment that restricts the museum to exhibits on “biological women” and the removal of a companion measure for a national museum for the American Latino.

Statements from Lawmakers Rep.

Nicole Malliotakis said Democrats withdrew support after the amendment clarifying that the museum would feature only biological women. She stated that the location could change only if the planned site proved not buildable. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, said Republicans had introduced unrelated provisions into what had been a simple bill.

Speaker Mike Johnson said the “biological women” language caused Democrats to withdraw support. The legislation had previously enjoyed stronger bipartisan backing, with lawmakers from both parties expressing frustration when a floor vote was delayed last year.