Bill · S. 1303· Senate(119-S-1303)
Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act
- Introduced
- 4/3/2025
- Last activity
- 4/3/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- Sponsored by
- Amy Klobuchar
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act'', aims to allow the museum to be located within the Reserve of the National Mall. It establishes procedures for when a site under the jurisdiction of another federal agency is used. The legislation requires the Smithsonian Board of Regents to notify agency heads before designating such sites. It also mandates that the museum council ensures its exhibits and programs represent a wide range of cultures, histories, and values. Finally, the bill requires regular reports to Congress regarding compliance with these exhibit standards.
Yes
Would women be better off under this?+7
The bill is highly positive for women as it authorizes and mandates a museum dedicated to their history and diverse experiences.
Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated?+5
The bill promotes gender equality by establishing a museum dedicated to women's history and diverse female experiences.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill increases transparency through required reports to Congress regarding museum exhibits and programming.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Accurate Representation: The bill requires the Council to ensure that museum exhibits and programs accurately and comprehensively represent the varied cultures, histories, events, and values held by women in the United States (Section 2(c)(4)(A)).
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Diverse Perspectives: The Council is mandated to utilize a broad array of knowledgeable and respected sources to reflect the diversity of political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women in the U.S. (Section 2(c)(4)(B)).
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Inclusion of Various Communities: The definition of a "broad array" ensures that the museum seeks experts representing a wide spectrum of communities, including varied viewpoints, political ideologies, cultures, and lived experiences (Section 2(c)(4)(C)(i)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Administrative Burdens and Transfers: If a site is under the jurisdiction of another federal agency, the head of that agency must undergo a notification process and initiate a transfer of administrative jurisdiction to the Smithsonian Institution as soon as practicable (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Increased Reporting Requirements: The Secretary of the Smithsonian is required to submit multiple reports to various House and Senate committees every two years regarding the museum's compliance with exhibit requirements (Section 2(d)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Women+7
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- 5/13/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/3/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Charles SchumerDemocrat · New York