119th Congress · introduced in the House · Feb 13, 2025
Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (May 21, 2026): Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Arts, Culture, Religion
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Reported to House (Apr 23, 2026)
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.
Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
House · May 21, 2026 · Roll call 188 · Failed
House · May 21, 2026 · Roll call 187 · Failed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 216 (Roll no. 188). Roll call details
Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On passage Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 216 (Roll no. 188). Roll call details
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 209 (Roll no. 187). Roll call details
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Ms. Randall moved to recommit to the Committee on House Administration. (CR H3692)
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3707-3710)
Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the House resumed consideration of H.R. 1329.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 1329 is postponed.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1329.
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.
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)
Congressional oversight · Government buildings, facilities, and property · Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers · Smithsonian Institution · U.S. history
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsRule H. Res. 1300 passed House.
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.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 538.
Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 119-621, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 119-621, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 7 - 4.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
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.
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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
Coverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 23, 2026.
5 citations.
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN · lobbying firm or registrant: HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
$203,894
Spent on own lobbying
…ertain disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation under the laws administered by the Secretary; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1329) to permit the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum to be located within the Reserve of the National Mall, and for other purposes; and waiving a require…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 19, 2026 · issue area: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
$950,000
Spent on own lobbying
…rams Appropriations Act, 2027-Issues Lobbied: Immigrants Rights, LGBTQ Rights, Racial Justice, Reproductive Freedom, Free Speech, Immigration, Civil Liberties. H.R. 1329-Smithsonian American Womens History Museum Act-Issues Lobbied: LGBTQ Rights. H.R. 8720-Campaign Finance Transparency Act-Issues Lobbied: Free Speech, Criminal…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER ACTION FUND · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER ACTION FUND
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Education
$75,000
Spent on own lobbying
…Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act (H.R. 2616) (House) Advocacy against an anti-trans rider in the Smithsonian American Womens History Museum Act (H.R. 1329) (House) Advocacy against the Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 2026 (H.R. 1028) (House) Advocacy against anti-trans riders in the Labor…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
$670,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ct, 2027-Issues Lobbied: Immigrants Rights, LGBTQ Rights, Racial Justice, Reproductive Freedom, Reproductive Rights, Free Speech, Immigration, Civil Liberties. H.R. 1329-Smithsonian American Womens History Museum Act-Issues Lobbied: LGBTQ Rights, Trans Rights. H.R. 8720-Campaign Finance Transparency Act-Issues Lobbied: Election…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN · lobbying firm or registrant: HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 17, 2026 · issue area: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
$223,727
Spent on own lobbying
…ertain disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation under the laws administered by the Secretary; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1329) to permit the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum to be located within the Reserve of the National Mall, and for other purposes; and waiving a require…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number matches Congress.gov records and the bill predates the report; no title was cited with it. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing