Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

May 21, 2026

This bill authorizes the establishment of a Smithsonian American Women's History Museum on the South Monument site within the National Mall in Washington, DC, though the President may designate an alternative site within 180 days of enactment. Administrative jurisdiction of the chosen site must be transferred to the Smithsonian Institution, which requires approval from specified federal entities including the Commission of Fine Arts to plan, design, and construct the museum building. The museum is directed to preserve, research, and present the history, achievements, and lived experiences of biological women in the United States, and is prohibited from identifying, presenting, describing, or depicting any biological male as female. The museum's advisory council must seek guidance from diverse sources reflecting different political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women when developing and revising exhibits and programs.

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Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act This 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.