Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act

What this measure contains

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.

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Bill text and versions

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• Reported in House · Official document ↗· Apr 23, 2026
• Introduced in House · Official document ↗· Feb 13, 2025

Legislative path

Each stage below is a House or Senate floor decision: every recorded roll call on this measure, plus passage by voice vote or unanimous consent, which records no individual votes. Each stage shows the latest version published before that day; the chamber may have voted on an amended text. Roll calls name every member. A member's row follows their votes, and a highlighted vote marks where they voted for advancing the measure at one stage and against it at another (passage, cloture, motions to proceed, agreeing to the other chamber's version). Amendments and motions such as recommit or table don't count as a change, because an aye there isn't a vote for the measure.

1. Introduced in House
2. Reported in House

Companion measure: S. 1303. A companion follows its own path; its votes are not combined with this one.

Decision stages

1. May 21, 2026 · House

   House motion to recommit on Reported in House: Failed

   209 aye · 209 no · 12 not voting · Source roll call

2. May 21, 2026 · House

   House passage on Reported in House: Failed

   204 aye · 216 no · 10 not voting · Source roll call

House members along the path

Aye yea or aye · No nay or no · Present · NV not voting · Changed reversed on advancing the measure

Members are identified by the Bioguide ID in each roll call, not by name. Not voting is not a no vote; a blank cell means the member wasn't listed for that roll call.Congress.gov actions ↗

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Legislative history

1. Feb 13, 2025

   Introduced in House

2. Feb 13, 2025

   Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

3. Feb 3, 2026

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

4. Feb 10, 2026

   Subcommittee Hearings Held

5. Mar 18, 2026

   Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

6. Mar 18, 2026

   Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 7 - 4.

7. Apr 23, 2026

   Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 119-621, Part I.

8. Apr 23, 2026

   Committee on Natural Resources discharged.

9. Apr 23, 2026

   Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 538.

10. May 19, 2026

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1300 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1041, H.R. 6047 and H.R. 1329. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1041, H.R. 6047, and H.R. 1329 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.

11. May 20, 2026

    Rule H. Res. 1300 passed House.

12. May 21, 2026

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1300. (consideration: CR H3692-3699; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3692-3693)

13. May 21, 2026

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1041, H.R. 6047 and H.R. 1329. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1041, H.R. 6047, and H.R. 1329 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.

14. May 21, 2026

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1329.

15. May 21, 2026

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

16. May 21, 2026

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 1329 is postponed.

17. May 21, 2026

    Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the House resumed consideration of H.R. 1329.

18. May 21, 2026

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3707-3710)

19. May 21, 2026

    Ms. Randall moved to recommit to the Committee on House Administration. (CR H3692)

20. May 21, 2026

    The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.

21. May 21, 2026

    On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 209 (Roll no. 187).

22. May 21, 2026

    Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On passage Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 216 (Roll no. 188).

23. May 21, 2026

    On passage Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 216 (Roll no. 188).

24. May 21, 2026

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

Bill sponsors