II 

Calendar No. 599 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 959 

To establish in the Smithsonian Institution a comprehensive women’s history 

museum, and for other purposes. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 28, 2019 

Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mrs. CAPITO, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, 

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Ms. MCSALLY, Ms. DUCKWORTH, 

Mrs. FISCHER, Ms. HASSAN, Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, Ms. WARREN, Mr. 

BROWN, Ms. BALDWIN, and Mr. WICKER) introduced the following bill; 

which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration 

DECEMBER 3, 2020 

Reported by Mr. BLUNT, with an amendment 

[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 

A BILL 

To establish in the Smithsonian Institution a comprehensive 

women’s history museum, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Smithsonian American 

5 Women’s History Museum Act’’. 


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1 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

2 Congress finds the following: 

3 (1) Since its founding, the United States has 

4 greatly benefitted from the contributions of women. 

5 (2) Historical accounts, monuments, memorials, 

6 and museums disproportionately represent men’s 

7 achievements and contributions and often neglect 

8 those of women. For example— 

9 (A) a study of 18 United States history 

10 textbooks concluded that 10 percent of the ma11 terial documented contributions of women; 

12 (B) 9 statues out of 91 in the United 

13 States Capitol’s National Statuary Hall depict 

14 women; and 

15 (C) only one of the 44 monuments oper16 ated by the National Park Service specifically 

17 honors the achievements of women after the 

18 2016 designation of the Belmont-Paul Women’s 

19 Equality National Monument. 

20 (3) There exists no national museum in the 

21 United States that is devoted to the documentation 

22 of women’s contributions throughout the Nation’s 

23 history. 

24 (4) On December 19, 2014, Congress created a 

25 Congressional Commission to study the potential for 

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1 partisan Commission unanimously concluded that 

2 the United States needs and deserves a physical na3 tional museum dedicated to showcasing the historical 

4 experiences and impact of women in the United 

5 States. 

6 (5) A comprehensive women’s history museum 

7 would document the full spectrum of the experiences 

8 of women in the United States, represent a diverse 

9 range of viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds, 

10 more accurately depict the history of the United 

11 States, and add value to the Smithsonian Institu12 tion. 

13 (6) The collections, exhibits, historical narrative 

14 materials, and museum programming of the wom15 en’s history museum should be inclusive, comprehen16 sive, and innovative. Such collections, exhibits, mate17 rials, and programming should present the diverse 

18 range of experiences and viewpoints of all women in 

19 the United States, reflecting upon the things that 

20 set women apart from one another while also high21 lighting the experiences that many of these women 

22 share. 

23 SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF MUSEUM. 

24 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 

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1 tory museum, to be named by the Board of Regents in 

2 consultation with the council established under section 4 

3 (referred to in this Act as the ‘‘Museum’’). 

4 (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Museum estab5 lished under this section shall be to provide for— 

6 (1) the collection and study of, and the estab7 lishment of programs relating to, women’s contribu8 tions to various fields and throughout different peri9 ods of history that have influenced the direction of 

10 the United States; 

11 (2) collaboration with other Smithsonian Insti12 tution museums and facilities, outside museums, and 

13 educational institutions; and 

14 (3) the creation of exhibitions and programs 

15 that recognize diverse perspectives on women’s his16 tory and contributions. 

17 SEC. 4. COUNCIL. 

18 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 

19 the Smithsonian Institution a council to carry out the du20 ties set forth under subsection (b) and other provisions 

21 of this Act (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Council’’). 

22 (b) DUTIES.— 

23 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Council established 

24 under this section shall— 


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1 (A) make recommendations to the Board 

2 of Regents concerning the planning, design, and 

3 construction of the Museum; 

4 (B) advise and assist the Board of Regents 

5 on all matters relating to the administration, 

6 operation, maintenance, and preservation of the 

7 Museum; 

8 (C) recommend annual operating budgets 

9 for the Museum to the Board of Regents; 

10 (D) report annually to the Board of Re11 gents on the acquisition, disposition, and dis12 play of objects relating to women’s art, history, 

13 and culture; and 

14 (E) adopt bylaws for the operation of the 

15 Council. 

16 (2) PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Coun17 cil, subject to the general policies of the Board of 

18 Regents, shall have sole authority to— 

19 (A) purchase, accept, borrow, and other20 wise acquire artifacts for addition to the collec21 tions of the Museum; 

22 (B) loan, exchange, sell, and otherwise dis23 pose of any part of the collections of the Mu24 seum, but only if the funds generated by that 


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1 disposition are used for additions to the collec2 tions of the Museum; or 

3 (C) specify criteria with respect to the use 

4 of the collections and resources of the Museum, 

5 including policies on programming, education, 

6 exhibitions, and research with respect to— 

7 (i) the life, art, history, and culture of 

8 women; 

9 (ii) the role of women in the history of 

10 the United States; and 

11 (iii) the contributions of women to so12 ciety. 

13 (3) OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Council, 

14 subject to the general policies of the Board of Re15 gents, shall have authority— 

16 (A) to provide for preservation, restoration, 

17 and maintenance of the collections of the Mu18 seum; and 

19 (B) to solicit, accept, use, and dispose of 

20 gifts, bequests, and devises of personal property 

21 for the purpose of aiding and facilitating the 

22 work of the Museum. 

23 (c) COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENT.— 


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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Council shall be com2 posed of 25 voting members as provided under para3 graph (2). 

4 (2) VOTING MEMBERS.—The Council shall in5 clude the following voting members: 

6 (A) The Secretary of the Smithsonian In7 stitution. 

8 (B) One member of the Board of Regents, 

9 appointed by the Board of Regents. 

10 (C) Twenty-three individuals appointed by 

11 the Board or Regents. In appointing members 

12 under this subparagraph, the Board of Regents 

13 should give special consideration to appoint14 ing— 

15 (i) members of the Congressional 

16 Commission; 

17 (ii) board members of the National 

18 Women’s History Museum, a nonprofit, 

19 educational organization described in sec20 tion 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 

21 Code of 1986 that was incorporated in 

22 1996 in the District of Columbia and that 

23 is dedicated for the purpose of establishing 

24 a women’s history museum; and 


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1 (iii) scholars and representatives of 

2 organizations that are committed to the 

3 study of women’s history. 

4 (3) INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.—The Board of 

5 Regents shall make initial appointments to the 

6 Council under paragraph (2) not later than 180 

7 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 

8 (d) TERMS.— 

9 (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in this 

10 subsection, each appointed member of the Council 

11 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. 

12 (2) INITIAL APPOINTEES.—As designated by 

13 the Board of Regents at the time of appointment, of 

14 the voting members first appointed under subpara15 graph (C) of subsection (c)(2)— 

16 (A) 8 members shall be appointed for a 

17 term of 1 year; 

18 (B) 8 members shall be appointed for a 

19 term of 2 years; and 

20 (C) 7 members shall be appointed for a 

21 term of 3 years. 

22 (3) REAPPOINTMENT.—A member of the Coun23 cil may be reappointed, except that no individual 

24 may serve on the Council for a total of more than 

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1 ber of terms an individual serves on the Council 

2 shall not include any portion of a term for which an 

3 individual is appointed to fill a vacancy under para4 graph (4)(B). 

5 (4) VACANCIES.— 

6 (A) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the 

7 Council— 

8 (i) shall not affect the powers of the 

9 Council; and 

10 (ii) shall be filled in the same manner 

11 as the original appointment was made. 

12 (B) TERM.—Any member of the Council 

13 appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the 

14 expiration of the term for which the member’s 

15 predecessor was appointed shall be appointed 

16 for the remainder of that term. 

17 (e) COMPENSATION.— 

18 (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para19 graph (2), a member of the Council shall serve with20 out pay. 

21 (2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the 

22 Council shall be allowed travel expenses, including 

23 per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized 

24 for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of 

25 chapter 57 of title 5, while away from the home or 


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1 regular place of business of the member in the per2 formance of the duties of the Council. 

3 (f) CHAIRPERSON.—By a majority vote of its voting 

4 members, the Council shall elect a chairperson from its 

5 members. 

6 (g) MEETINGS.— 

7 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Council shall meet at 

8 the call of the chairperson or on the written request 

9 of a majority of the voting members of the Council, 

10 but not fewer than twice each year. 

11 (2) INITIAL MEETINGS.—During the 1-year pe12 riod beginning on the date of the first meeting of the 

13 Council, the Council shall meet not fewer than 4 

14 times for the purpose of carrying out the duties of 

15 the Council under this Act. 

16 (h) QUORUM.—A majority of the voting members of 

17 the Council holding office shall constitute a quorum for 

18 the purpose of conducting business, but a lesser number 

19 may receive information on behalf of the Council. 

20 SEC. 5. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF THE MUSEUM. 

21 (a) DIRECTOR.— 

22 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Museum shall have a 

23 Director who shall be appointed by the Secretary, 

24 taking into consideration individuals recommended 

25 by the council established under section 4. 


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1 (2) DUTIES.—The Director shall manage the 

2 Museum subject to the policies of the Board of Re3 gents. 

4 (b) STAFF.—The Secretary may appoint 2 additional 

5 employees to serve under the Director, except that such 

6 additional employees may be appointed without regard to 

7 the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing 

8 appointments in the competitive service. 

9 (c) PAY.—The employees appointed by the Secretary 

10 under subsection (b) may be paid without regard to the 

11 provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 

12 of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification 

13 of positions and General Schedule pay rates. 

14 SEC. 6. EDUCATIONAL AND LIAISON PROGRAMS. 

15 (a) PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED.—The Director of the 

16 Museum may carry out educational and liaison programs 

17 in support of the goals of the Museum. 

18 (b) COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOLS.—In carrying 

19 out this section, the Director shall carry out educational 

20 programs in collaboration with elementary schools, sec21 ondary schools, and postsecondary schools. 

22 SEC. 7. BUILDING. 

23 (a) IN GENERAL.— 

24 (1) LOCATION.— 


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1 (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 

2 months after the date of the enactment of this 

3 Act, the Board of Regents shall designate a site 

4 for the Museum. 

5 (B) SITES FOR CONSIDERATION.—In des6 ignating a site under subparagraph (A), the 

7 Board of Regents shall select from among the 

8 following sites in the District of Columbia: 

9 (i) The site known as the ‘‘South 

10 Monument site’’, located on the National 

11 Mall and bordered by 14th Street North12 west, Jefferson Drive Southwest, Raoul 

13 Wallenberg Place Southwest, and Inde14 pendence Ave Southwest. 

15 (ii) The Northwest United States 

16 Capitol site, bordered by 3rd Street North17 west, Constitution Avenue Northwest, 1st 

18 Street Northwest, and Pennsylvania Ave 

19 Northwest. 

20 (iii) Any other appropriate location as 

21 identified by the Board of Regents in con22 sultation with the council established under 

23 section 4. 

24 (C) AVAILABILITY OF SITE.— 


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1 (i) IN GENERAL.—The sites described 

2 in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) 

3 shall remain available until the date on 

4 which the Board of Regents designates a 

5 site for the Museum under subparagraph 

6 (A). 

7 (ii) TRANSFER TO SMITHSONIAN IN8 STITUTION.—If the site designated for the 

9 Museum is in an area that is under the ad10 ministrative jurisdiction of a Federal agen11 cy, as soon as practicable after the date on 

12 which the designation is made, the head of 

13 the Federal agency shall transfer to the 

14 Smithsonian Institution administrative ju15 risdiction over the area. 

16 (D) FACTORS CONSIDERED.—In desig17 nating a site under subparagraph (A), the 

18 Board of Regents shall take into consideration 

19 each of the following factors: 

20 (i) An estimate of the costs associated 

21 with each potential site. 

22 (ii) An assessment of the suitability of 

23 the space of each potential site, including 

24 size, proximity to other buildings and 


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1 transportation, and other external environ2 mental conditions, as appropriate. 

3 (iii) The recommendations of the Con4 gressional Commission. 

5 (E) CONSULTATION.—The Board of Re6 gents shall carry out its duties under this para7 graph in consultation with each of the fol8 lowing: 

9 (i) The Chair of the National Capital 

10 Planning Commission. 

11 (ii) The Chair of the Commission on 

12 Fine Arts. 

13 (iii) The Chair of the Congressional 

14 Commission. 

15 (iv) The chair and ranking minority 

16 member of each of the following Commit17 tees: 

18 (I) The Committee on Rules and 

19 Administration of the Senate. 

20 (II) The Committee on House 

21 Administration of the House of Rep22 resentatives. 

23 (III) The Committee on Trans24 portation and Infrastructure of the 

25 House of Representatives. 


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1 (IV) The Committee on Appro2 priations of the House of Representa3 tives. 

4 (V) The Committee on Appro5 priations of the Senate. 

6 (F) PRIORITY.—In designating a site 

7 under subparagraph (A), the Board of Regents 

8 shall give priority to a site which is on or near 

9 the National Mall. 

10 (b) CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING.—The Board of 

11 Regents, in consultation with the council established under 

12 section 4, may plan, design, and construct a building for 

13 the Museum, which shall be located at the site designated 

14 by the Board of Regents under subsection (a). 

15 (c) NONAPPLICABILITY OF PROVISIONS RELATING

16 TO MONUMENTS AND COMMEMORATIVE WORKS.—Chap17 ter 89 of title 40, United States Code, shall not apply with 

18 respect to the Museum. 

19 (d) COST SHARING.—The Board of Regents shall 

20 pay— 

21 (1) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this 

22 section from Federal funds; and 

23 (2) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this 

24 section from non-Federal sources. 


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1 SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS. 

2 In this Act, the following definitions apply: 

3 (1) The term ‘‘Board of Regents’’ means the 

4 Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. 

5 (2) The term ‘‘Congressional Commission’’ 

6 means the Commission to Study the Potential Cre7 ation of a National Women’s History Museum, es8 tablished under section 3056 of the Military Con9 struction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 

10 (Public Law 113–291; 127 Stat. 3810). 

11 (3) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 

12 of the Smithsonian Institution. 

13 SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

14 (a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro15 priated to the Smithsonian Institution to carry out this 

16 Act, including the planning, design, construction, and op17 eration of the Museum established under section 3, such 

18 sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020 and each 

19 succeeding fiscal year. 

20 (b) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pursuant 

21 to the authorization under this section shall remain avail22 able until expended. 

23 (c) USE OF FUNDS FOR FUNDRAISING.—Amounts 

24 appropriated pursuant to the authorization under this sec25 tion may be used to conduct fundraising in support of the 

26 Museum from private sources. 


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1 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

2 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Smithsonian American 

3 Women’s History Museum Act’’. 

4 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

5 Congress finds the following: 

6 (1) Since its founding, the United States has 

7 greatly benefitted from the contributions of women. 

8 (2) Historical accounts, monuments, memorials, 

9 and museums disproportionately represent men’s 

10 achievements and contributions and often neglect 

11 those of women. For example— 

12 (A) a study of 18 United States history 

13 textbooks concluded that 10 percent of the mate14 rial documented contributions of women; 

15 (B) 9 statues out of 91 in the United States 

16 Capitol’s National Statuary Hall depict women; 

17 and 

18 (C) only one of the 44 monuments operated 

19 by the National Park Service specifically honors 

20 the achievements of women after the 2016 des21 ignation of the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality 

22 National Monument. 

23 (3) There exists no national museum in the 

24 United States that is devoted to the documentation of 

25 women’s contributions throughout the Nation’s his26 tory. 


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1 (4) On December 19, 2014, Congress created a 

2 Congressional Commission to study the potential for 

3 an American museum of women’s history. The bipar4 tisan Commission unanimously concluded that the 

5 United States needs and deserves a physical national 

6 museum dedicated to showcasing the historical experi7 ences and impact of women in the United States. 

8 (5) A comprehensive women’s history museum 

9 would document the full spectrum of the experiences 

10 of women in the United States, represent a diverse 

11 range of viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds, 

12 more accurately depict the history of the United 

13 States, and add value to the Smithsonian Institution. 

14 (6) The collections, exhibits, historical narrative 

15 materials, and museum programming of the women’s 

16 history museum should be inclusive, comprehensive, 

17 and innovative. Such collections, exhibits, materials, 

18 and programming should present the diverse range of 

19 experiences and viewpoints of all women in the 

20 United States, reflecting upon the things that set 

21 women apart from one another while also high22 lighting the experiences that many of these women 

23 share. 


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1 SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF MUSEUM. 

2 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within the 

3 Smithsonian Institution a comprehensive women’s history 

4 museum, to be named by the Board of Regents in consulta5 tion with the council established under section 4 (referred 

6 to in this Act as the ‘‘Museum’’). 

7 (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Museum established 

8 under this section shall be to provide for— 

9 (1) the collection and study of, and the establish10 ment of programs relating to, women’s contributions 

11 to various fields and throughout different periods of 

12 history that have influenced the direction of the 

13 United States; 

14 (2) collaboration with other Smithsonian Insti15 tution museums and facilities, outside museums, and 

16 educational institutions; and 

17 (3) the creation of exhibitions and programs that 

18 recognize diverse perspectives on women’s history and 

19 contributions. 

20 SEC. 4. COUNCIL. 

21 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within the 

22 Smithsonian Institution a council to carry out the duties 

23 set forth under subsection (b) and other provisions of this 

24 Act (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Council’’). 

25 (b) DUTIES.— 


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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Council established under 

2 this section shall— 

3 (A) make recommendations to the Board of 

4 Regents concerning the planning, design, and 

5 construction of the Museum; 

6 (B) advise and assist the Board of Regents 

7 on all matters relating to the administration, op8 eration, maintenance, and preservation of the 

9 Museum; 

10 (C) recommend annual operating budgets 

11 for the Museum to the Board of Regents; 

12 (D) report annually to the Board of Regents 

13 on the acquisition, disposition, and display of 

14 objects relating to women’s art, history, and cul15 ture; and 

16 (E) adopt bylaws for the operation of the 

17 Council. 

18 (2) PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Council, 

19 subject to the general policies of the Board of Regents, 

20 shall have sole authority to— 

21 (A) purchase, accept, borrow, and otherwise 

22 acquire artifacts for addition to the collections of 

23 the Museum; 

24 (B) loan, exchange, sell, and otherwise dis25 pose of any part of the collections of the Museum, 


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1 but only if the funds generated by that disposi2 tion are used for additions to the collections of 

3 the Museum; or 

4 (C) specify criteria with respect to the use 

5 of the collections and resources of the Museum, 

6 including policies on programming, education, 

7 exhibitions, and research with respect to— 

8 (i) the life, art, history, and culture of 

9 women; 

10 (ii) the role of women in the history of 

11 the United States; and 

12 (iii) the contributions of women to so13 ciety. 

14 (3) OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Council, 

15 subject to the general policies of the Board of Regents, 

16 shall have authority— 

17 (A) to provide for preservation, restoration, 

18 and maintenance of the collections of the Mu19 seum; and 

20 (B) to solicit, accept, use, and dispose of 

21 gifts, bequests, and devises of personal property 

22 for the purpose of aiding and facilitating the 

23 work of the Museum. 

24 (4) ENSURING DIVERSITY OF POLITICAL VIEW25 POINTS IN EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS.—In carrying 


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1 out its duties, the Council shall ensure that the exhib2 its and programs of the Museum reflect the diversity 

3 of the political viewpoints held by women of the 

4 United States on the events and issues relating to the 

5 history of women in the United States. 

6 (c) COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENT.— 

7 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Council shall be composed 

8 of 25 voting members as provided under paragraph 

9 (2). 

10 (2) VOTING MEMBERS.—The Council shall in11 clude the following voting members: 

12 (A) One member appointed by the majority 

13 leader of the Senate. 

14 (B) One member appointed by the minority 

15 leader of the Senate. 

16 (C) One member appointed by the Speaker 

17 of the House of Representatives. 

18 (D) One member appointed by the minority 

19 leader of the House of Representatives. 

20 (E) The Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti21 tution. 

22 (F) One member of the Board of Regents, 

23 appointed by the Board of Regents. 

24 (G) Nineteen individuals appointed by the 

25 Board of Regents. In appointing members under 


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1 this subparagraph, the Board of Regents should 

2 give special consideration to appointing— 

3 (i) members of the Congressional Com4 mission; 

5 (ii) board members of the National 

6 Women’s History Museum, a nonprofit, 

7 educational organization described in sec8 tion 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 

9 of 1986 that was incorporated in 1996 in 

10 the District of Columbia and that is dedi11 cated for the purpose of establishing a wom12 en’s history museum; and 

13 (iii) scholars and representatives of or14 ganizations that are committed to the study 

15 of women’s history. 

16 (3) INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.—The Board of Re17 gents shall make initial appointments to the Council 

18 under paragraph (2) not later than 180 days after the 

19 date of the enactment of this Act. 

20 (d) TERMS.— 

21 (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in this 

22 subsection, each appointed member of the Council 

23 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. 

24 (2) INITIAL APPOINTEES.—As designated by the 

25 Board of Regents at the time of appointment, of the 


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1 voting members first appointed under subparagraph 

2 (G) of subsection (c)(2)— 

3 (A) 7 members shall be appointed for a 

4 term of 1 year; 

5 (B) 6 members shall be appointed for a 

6 term of 2 years; and 

7 (C) 6 members shall be appointed for a 

8 term of 3 years. 

9 (3) REAPPOINTMENT.—A member of the Council 

10 may be reappointed, except that no individual may 

11 serve on the Council for a total of more than 2 terms. 

12 For purposes of this paragraph, the number of terms 

13 an individual serves on the Council shall not include 

14 any portion of a term for which an individual is ap15 pointed to fill a vacancy under paragraph (4)(B). 

16 (4) VACANCIES.— 

17 (A) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the Coun18 cil— 

19 (i) shall not affect the powers of the 

20 Council; and 

21 (ii) shall be filled in the same manner 

22 as the original appointment was made. 

23 (B) TERM.—Any member of the Council ap24 pointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the ex25 piration of the term for which the member’s 


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1 predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for 

2 the remainder of that term. 

3 (e) COMPENSATION.— 

4 (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para5 graph (2), a member of the Council shall serve with6 out pay. 

7 (2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the Coun8 cil shall be allowed travel expenses, including per 

9 diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an 

10 employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 

11 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from the 

12 home or regular place of business of the member in 

13 the performance of the duties of the Council. 

14 (f) CHAIRPERSON.—By a majority vote of its voting 

15 members, the Council shall elect a chairperson from its 

16 members. 

17 (g) MEETINGS.— 

18 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Council shall meet at the 

19 call of the chairperson or on the written request of a 

20 majority of the voting members of the Council, but 

21 not fewer than twice each year. 

22 (2) INITIAL MEETINGS.—During the 1-year pe23 riod beginning on the date of the first meeting of the 

24 Council, the Council shall meet not fewer than 4 


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1 times for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the 

2 Council under this Act. 

3 (h) QUORUM.—A majority of the voting members of 

4 the Council holding office shall constitute a quorum for the 

5 purpose of conducting business, but a lesser number may 

6 receive information on behalf of the Council. 

7 SEC. 5. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF THE MUSEUM. 

8 (a) DIRECTOR.— 

9 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Museum shall have a Di10 rector who shall be appointed by the Secretary, taking 

11 into consideration individuals recommended by the 

12 council established under section 4. 

13 (2) DUTIES.—The Director shall manage the 

14 Museum subject to the policies of the Board of Re15 gents. 

16 (b) STAFF.—The Secretary may appoint 2 additional 

17 employees to serve under the Director, except that such ad18 ditional employees may be appointed without regard to the 

19 provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing ap20 pointments in the competitive service. 

21 (c) PAY.—The employees appointed by the Secretary 

22 under subsection (b) may be paid without regard to the pro23 visions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of 

24 title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of posi25 tions and General Schedule pay rates. 


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1 SEC. 6. EDUCATIONAL AND LIAISON PROGRAMS. 

2 (a) PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED.—The Director of the 

3 Museum may carry out educational and liaison programs 

4 in support of the goals of the Museum. 

5 (b) COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOLS.—In carrying 

6 out this section, the Director shall carry out educational 

7 programs in collaboration with elementary schools, sec8 ondary schools, and postsecondary schools. 

9 SEC. 7. BUILDING. 

10 (a) IN GENERAL.— 

11 (1) LOCATION.— 

12 (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 24 

13 months after the date of the enactment of this 

14 Act, the Board of Regents shall designate a site 

15 for the Museum. 

16 (B) SITES FOR CONSIDERATION.—In desig17 nating a site under subparagraph (A), the Board 

18 of Regents shall select from among the following 

19 sites in the District of Columbia: 

20 (i) The site known as the ‘‘South 

21 Monument site’’, located on the National 

22 Mall and bordered by 14th Street North23 west, Jefferson Drive Southwest, Raoul 

24 Wallenberg Place Southwest, and Independ25 ence Ave Southwest. 


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1 (ii) The Northwest United States Cap2 itol site, bordered by 3rd Street Northwest, 

3 Constitution Avenue Northwest, 1st Street 

4 Northwest, and Pennsylvania Ave North5 west. 

6 (iii) Any other appropriate location as 

7 identified by the Board of Regents in con8 sultation with the council established under 

9 section 4. 

10 (C) AVAILABILITY OF SITE.— 

11 (i) IN GENERAL.—The sites described 

12 in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) 

13 shall remain available until the date on 

14 which the Board of Regents designates a site 

15 for the Museum under subparagraph (A). 

16 (ii) TRANSFER TO SMITHSONIAN INSTI17 TUTION.—If the site designated for the Mu18 seum is in an area that is under the ad19 ministrative jurisdiction of a Federal agen20 cy, as soon as practicable after the date on 

21 which the designation is made, the head of 

22 the Federal agency shall transfer to the 

23 Smithsonian Institution administrative ju24 risdiction over the area. 


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1 (D) FACTORS CONSIDERED.—In designating 

2 a site under subparagraph (A), the Board of Re3 gents shall take into consideration each of the fol4 lowing factors: 

5 (i) An estimate of the costs associated 

6 with each potential site. 

7 (ii) An assessment of the suitability of 

8 the space of each potential site, including 

9 size, proximity to other buildings and 

10 transportation, and other external environ11 mental conditions, as appropriate. 

12 (iii) The recommendations of the Con13 gressional Commission. 

14 (E) CONSULTATION.—The Board of Regents 

15 shall carry out its duties under this paragraph 

16 in consultation with each of the following: 

17 (i) The Chair of the National Capital 

18 Planning Commission. 

19 (ii) The Chair of the Commission on 

20 Fine Arts. 

21 (iii) The Chair of the Congressional 

22 Commission. 

23 (iv) The chair and ranking minority 

24 member of each of the following Committees: 


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1 (I) The Committee on Rules and 

2 Administration of the Senate. 

3 (II) The Committee on House Ad4 ministration of the House of Rep5 resentatives. 

6 (III) The Committee on Transpor7 tation and Infrastructure of the House 

8 of Representatives. 

9 (IV) The Committee on Appro10 priations of the House of Representa11 tives. 

12 (V) The Committee on Appropria13 tions of the Senate. 

14 (F) PRIORITY.—In designating a site under 

15 subparagraph (A), the Board of Regents shall 

16 give priority to a site which is on or near the 

17 National Mall. 

18 (b) CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING.—The Board of Re19 gents, in consultation with the council established under 

20 section 4, may plan, design, and construct a building for 

21 the Museum, which shall be located at the site designated 

22 by the Board of Regents under subsection (a). 

23 (c) NONAPPLICABILITY OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO

24 MONUMENTS AND COMMEMORATIVE WORKS.—Chapter 89 


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1 of title 40, United States Code, shall not apply with respect 

2 to the Museum. 

3 (d) COST SHARING.—The Board of Regents shall 

4 pay— 

5 (1) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this 

6 section from Federal funds; and 

7 (2) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this 

8 section from non-Federal sources. 

9 SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS. 

10 In this Act, the following definitions apply: 

11 (1) The term ‘‘Board of Regents’’ means the 

12 Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. 

13 (2) The term ‘‘Congressional Commission’’ 

14 means the Commission to Study the Potential Cre15 ation of a National Women’s History Museum, estab16 lished under section 3056 of the Military Construction 

17 Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 

18 113–291; 128 Stat. 3810). 

19 (3) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of 

20 the Smithsonian Institution. 

21 SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

22 (a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro23 priated to the Smithsonian Institution to carry out this 

24 Act, including the planning, design, construction, and oper25 ation of the Museum established under section 3, such sums 


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1 as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020 and each suc2 ceeding fiscal year. 

3 (b) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pursuant 

4 to the authorization under this section shall remain avail5 able until expended. 

6 (c) USE OF FUNDS FOR FUNDRAISING.—Amounts ap7 propriated pursuant to the authorization under this section 

8 may be used to conduct fundraising in support of the Mu9 seum from private sources. 


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Calendar No. 599 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 959 

A BILL 

To establish in the Smithsonian Institution a comother purposes. prehensive women’s history museum, and for 

DECEMBER 3, 2020 

Reported with an amendment 


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