II 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST 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 and Mrs. FEINSTEIN) introduced the following bill; 

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

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’’. 

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

7 Congress finds the following: 

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

9 greatly benefitted from the contributions of women. 


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1 (2) Historical accounts, monuments, memorials, 

2 and museums disproportionately represent men’s 

3 achievements and contributions and often neglect 

4 those of women. For example— 

5 (A) a study of 18 United States history 

6 textbooks concluded that 10 percent of the ma7 terial documented contributions of women; 

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

9 States Capitol’s National Statuary Hall depict 

10 women; and 

11 (C) only one of the 44 monuments oper12 ated by the National Park Service specifically 

13 honors the achievements of women after the 

14 2016 designation of the Belmont-Paul Women’s 

15 Equality National Monument. 

16 (3) There exists no national museum in the 

17 United States that is devoted to the documentation 

18 of women’s contributions throughout the Nation’s 

19 history. 

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

21 Congressional Commission to study the potential for 

22 an American museum of women’s history. The bi23 partisan Commission unanimously concluded that 

24 the United States needs and deserves a physical na25 tional museum dedicated to showcasing the historical 


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1 experiences and impact of women in the United 

2 States. 

3 (5) A comprehensive women’s history museum 

4 would document the full spectrum of the experiences 

5 of women in the United States, represent a diverse 

6 range of viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds, 

7 more accurately depict the history of the United 

8 States, and add value to the Smithsonian Institu9 tion. 

10 (6) The collections, exhibits, historical narrative 

11 materials, and museum programming of the wom12 en’s history museum should be inclusive, comprehen13 sive, and innovative. Such collections, exhibits, mate14 rials, and programming should present the diverse 

15 range of experiences and viewpoints of all women in 

16 the United States, reflecting upon the things that 

17 set women apart from one another while also high18 lighting the experiences that many of these women 

19 share. 

20 SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF MUSEUM. 

21 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 

22 the Smithsonian Institution a comprehensive women’s his23 tory museum, to be named by the Board of Regents in 

24 consultation with the council established under section 4 

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


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1 (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Museum estab2 lished under this section shall be to provide for— 

3 (1) the collection and study of, and the estab4 lishment of programs relating to, women’s contribu5 tions to various fields and throughout different peri6 ods of history that have influenced the direction of 

7 the United States; 

8 (2) collaboration with other Smithsonian Insti9 tution museums and facilities, outside museums, and 

10 educational institutions; and 

11 (3) the creation of exhibitions and programs 

12 that recognize diverse perspectives on women’s his13 tory and contributions. 

14 SEC. 4. COUNCIL. 

15 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 

16 the Smithsonian Institution a council to carry out the du17 ties set forth under subsection (b) and other provisions 

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

19 (b) DUTIES.— 

20 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Council established 

21 under this section shall— 

22 (A) make recommendations to the Board 

23 of Regents concerning the planning, design, and 

24 construction of the Museum; 


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1 (B) advise and assist the Board of Regents 

2 on all matters relating to the administration, 

3 operation, maintenance, and preservation of the 

4 Museum; 

5 (C) recommend annual operating budgets 

6 for the Museum to the Board of Regents; 

7 (D) report annually to the Board of Re8 gents on the acquisition, disposition, and dis9 play of objects relating to women’s art, history, 

10 and culture; and 

11 (E) adopt bylaws for the operation of the 

12 Council. 

13 (2) PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Coun14 cil, subject to the general policies of the Board of 

15 Regents, shall have sole authority to— 

16 (A) purchase, accept, borrow, and other17 wise acquire artifacts for addition to the collec18 tions of the Museum; 

19 (B) loan, exchange, sell, and otherwise dis20 pose of any part of the collections of the Mu21 seum, but only if the funds generated by that 

22 disposition are used for additions to the collec23 tions of the Museum; or 

24 (C) specify criteria with respect to the use 

25 of the collections and resources of the Museum, 


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1 including policies on programming, education, 

2 exhibitions, and research with respect to— 

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

4 women; 

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

6 the United States; and 

7 (iii) the contributions of women to so8 ciety. 

9 (3) OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Council, 

10 subject to the general policies of the Board of Re11 gents, shall have authority— 

12 (A) to provide for preservation, restoration, 

13 and maintenance of the collections of the Mu14 seum; and 

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

16 gifts, bequests, and devises of personal property 

17 for the purpose of aiding and facilitating the 

18 work of the Museum. 

19 (c) COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENT.— 

20 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Council shall be com21 posed of 25 voting members as provided under para22 graph (2). 

23 (2) VOTING MEMBERS.—The Council shall in24 clude the following voting members: 


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1 (A) The Secretary of the Smithsonian In2 stitution. 

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

4 appointed by the Board of Regents. 

5 (C) Twenty-three individuals appointed by 

6 the Board or Regents. In appointing members 

7 under this subparagraph, the Board of Regents 

8 should give special consideration to appoint9 ing— 

10 (i) members of the Congressional 

11 Commission; 

12 (ii) board members of the National 

13 Women’s History Museum, a nonprofit, 

14 educational organization described in sec15 tion 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 

16 Code of 1986 that was incorporated in 

17 1996 in the District of Columbia and that 

18 is dedicated for the purpose of establishing 

19 a women’s history museum; and 

20 (iii) scholars and representatives of 

21 organizations that are committed to the 

22 study of women’s history. 

23 (3) INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.—The Board of 

24 Regents shall make initial appointments to the 


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1 Council under paragraph (2) not later than 180 

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

3 (d) TERMS.— 

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

5 subsection, each appointed member of the Council 

6 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. 

7 (2) INITIAL APPOINTEES.—As designated by 

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

9 the voting members first appointed under subpara10 graph (C) of subsection (c)(2)— 

11 (A) 8 members shall be appointed for a 

12 term of 1 year; 

13 (B) 8 members shall be appointed for a 

14 term of 2 years; and 

15 (C) 7 members shall be appointed for a 

16 term of 3 years. 

17 (3) REAPPOINTMENT.—A member of the Coun18 cil may be reappointed, except that no individual 

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

20 2 terms. For purposes of this paragraph, the num21 ber of terms an individual serves on the Council 

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

23 individual is appointed to fill a vacancy under para24 graph (4)(B). 

25 (4) VACANCIES.— 


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1 (A) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the 

2 Council— 

3 (i) shall not affect the powers of the 

4 Council; and 

5 (ii) shall be filled in the same manner 

6 as the original appointment was made. 

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

8 appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the 

9 expiration of the term for which the member’s 

10 predecessor was appointed shall be appointed 

11 for the remainder of that term. 

12 (e) COMPENSATION.— 

13 (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para14 graph (2), a member of the Council shall serve with15 out pay. 

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

17 Council shall be allowed travel expenses, including 

18 per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized 

19 for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of 

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

21 regular place of business of the member in the per22 formance of the duties of the Council. 

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

24 members, the Council shall elect a chairperson from its 

25 members. 


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1 (g) MEETINGS.— 

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

3 the call of the chairperson or on the written request 

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

5 but not fewer than twice each year. 

6 (2) INITIAL MEETINGS.—During the 1-year pe7 riod beginning on the date of the first meeting of the 

8 Council, the Council shall meet not fewer than 4 

9 times for the purpose of carrying out the duties of 

10 the Council under this Act. 

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

12 the Council holding office shall constitute a quorum for 

13 the purpose of conducting business, but a lesser number 

14 may receive information on behalf of the Council. 

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

16 (a) DIRECTOR.— 

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

18 Director who shall be appointed by the Secretary, 

19 taking into consideration individuals recommended 

20 by the council established under section 4. 

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

22 Museum subject to the policies of the Board of Re23 gents. 

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

25 employees to serve under the Director, except that such 


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1 additional employees may be appointed without regard to 

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

3 appointments in the competitive service. 

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

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

6 provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 

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

8 of positions and General Schedule pay rates. 

9 SEC. 6. EDUCATIONAL AND LIAISON PROGRAMS. 

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

11 Museum may carry out educational and liaison programs 

12 in support of the goals of the Museum. 

13 (b) COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOLS.—In carrying 

14 out this section, the Director shall carry out educational 

15 programs in collaboration with elementary schools, sec16 ondary schools, and postsecondary schools. 

17 SEC. 7. BUILDING. 

18 (a) IN GENERAL.— 

19 (1) LOCATION.— 

20 (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 

21 months after the date of the enactment of this 

22 Act, the Board of Regents shall designate a site 

23 for the Museum. 

24 (B) SITES FOR CONSIDERATION.—In des25 ignating a site under subparagraph (A), the 


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1 Board of Regents shall select from among the 

2 following sites in the District of Columbia: 

3 (i) The site known as the ‘‘South 

4 Monument site’’, located on the National 

5 Mall and bordered by 14th Street North6 west, Jefferson Drive Southwest, Raoul 

7 Wallenberg Place Southwest, and Inde8 pendence Ave Southwest. 

9 (ii) The Northwest United States 

10 Capitol site, bordered by 3rd Street North11 west, Constitution Avenue Northwest, 1st 

12 Street Northwest, and Pennsylvania Ave 

13 Northwest. 

14 (iii) Any other appropriate location as 

15 identified by the Board of Regents in con16 sultation with the council established under 

17 section 4. 

18 (C) AVAILABILITY OF SITE.— 

19 (i) IN GENERAL.—The sites described 

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

21 shall remain available until the date on 

22 which the Board of Regents designates a 

23 site for the Museum under subparagraph 

24 (A). 


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1 (ii) TRANSFER TO SMITHSONIAN IN2 STITUTION.—If the site designated for the 

3 Museum is in an area that is under the ad4 ministrative jurisdiction of a Federal agen5 cy, as soon as practicable after the date on 

6 which the designation is made, the head of 

7 the Federal agency shall transfer to the 

8 Smithsonian Institution administrative ju9 risdiction over the area. 

10 (D) FACTORS CONSIDERED.—In desig11 nating a site under subparagraph (A), the 

12 Board of Regents shall take into consideration 

13 each of the following factors: 

14 (i) An estimate of the costs associated 

15 with each potential site. 

16 (ii) An assessment of the suitability of 

17 the space of each potential site, including 

18 size, proximity to other buildings and 

19 transportation, and other external environ20 mental conditions, as appropriate. 

21 (iii) The recommendations of the Con22 gressional Commission. 

23 (E) CONSULTATION.—The Board of Re24 gents shall carry out its duties under this paraVerDate Sep 11 2014 04:17 Apr 05, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S959.IS S959

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1 graph in consultation with each of the fol2 lowing: 

3 (i) The Chair of the National Capital 

4 Planning Commission. 

5 (ii) The Chair of the Commission on 

6 Fine Arts. 

7 (iii) The Chair of the Congressional 

8 Commission. 

9 (iv) The chair and ranking minority 

10 member of each of the following Commit11 tees: 

12 (I) The Committee on Rules and 

13 Administration of the Senate. 

14 (II) The Committee on House 

15 Administration of the House of Rep16 resentatives. 

17 (III) The Committee on Trans18 portation and Infrastructure of the 

19 House of Representatives. 

20 (IV) The Committee on Appro21 priations of the House of Representa22 tives. 

23 (V) The Committee on Appro24 priations of the Senate. 


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1 (F) PRIORITY.—In designating a site 

2 under subparagraph (A), the Board of Regents 

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

4 the National Mall. 

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

6 Regents, in consultation with the council established under 

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

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

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

10 (c) NONAPPLICABILITY OF PROVISIONS RELATING

11 TO MONUMENTS AND COMMEMORATIVE WORKS.—Chap12 ter 89 of title 40, United States Code, shall not apply with 

13 respect to the Museum. 

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

15 pay— 

16 (1) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this 

17 section from Federal funds; and 

18 (2) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this 

19 section from non-Federal sources. 

20 SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS. 

21 In this Act, the following definitions apply: 

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

23 Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. 

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

25 means the Commission to Study the Potential CreVerDate Sep 11 2014 04:17 Apr 05, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S959.IS S959

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1 ation of a National Women’s History Museum, es2 tablished under section 3056 of the Military Con3 struction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 

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

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

6 of the Smithsonian Institution. 

7 SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

8 (a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro9 priated to the Smithsonian Institution to carry out this 

10 Act, including the planning, design, construction, and op11 eration of the Museum established under section 3, such 

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

13 succeeding fiscal year. 

14 (b) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pursuant 

15 to the authorization under this section shall remain avail16 able until expended. 

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

18 appropriated pursuant to the authorization under this sec19 tion may be used to conduct fundraising in support of the 

20 Museum from private sources. 

Æ 


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