IIB 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 1980 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
FEBRUARY 12, 2020 
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and 
Administration 
AN ACT 
To establish in the Smithsonian Institution a comprehensive 
women’s history museum, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Smithsonian Women’s 
History Museum Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Since its founding, the United States has 
greatly benefitted from the contributions of women. 
(2) Historical accounts, monuments, memorials, 
and museums disproportionately represent men’s 
achievements and contributions and often neglect 
those of women. For example— 
(A) a study of 18 American history text-
books concluded that 10 percent of the material 
documented contributions of women; 
(B) 9 statues out of 91 in the United 
States Capitol’s National Statuary Hall depict 
women; and 
(C) only one of the 44 monuments oper-
ated by the National Park Service specifically 
honors the achievements of women after the 
2016 designation of the Belmont-Paul Women’s 
Equality National Monument. 
(3) There exists no national museum in the 
United States that is devoted to the documentation 
of women’s contributions throughout the Nation’s 
history. 
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(4) Establishing a comprehensive women’s his-
tory museum representing a diverse range of view-
points, experience, and backgrounds is necessary to 
more accurately depict the history of the United 
States and would add value to the Smithsonian In-
stitution. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF MUSEUM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 
the Smithsonian Institution a comprehensive women’s his-
tory museum, to be named by the Board of Regents in 
consultation with the council established under section 4. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the museum estab-
lished under this section shall be to provide for— 
(1) the collection, study, and establishment of 
programs relating to women’s contributions to var-
ious fields and throughout different periods of his-
tory that have influenced the direction of the United 
States; 
(2) collaboration with other Smithsonian Insti-
tution museums and facilities, outside museums, and 
educational institutions; and 
(3) the creation of exhibitions and programs 
that recognize diverse perspectives on women’s his-
tory and contributions. 
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SEC. 4. COUNCIL. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 
the Smithsonian Institution a council to carry out the du-
ties set forth under subsection (b) and other provisions 
of this Act. 
(b) DUTIES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The council established 
under this section shall— 
(A) make recommendations to the Board 
of Regents concerning the planning, design, and 
construction of the museum established under 
section 3; 
(B) advise and assist the Board of Regents 
on all matters relating to the administration, 
operation, maintenance, and preservation of the 
museum; 
(C) recommend annual operating budgets 
for the museum to the Board of Regents; 
(D) report annually to the Board of Re-
gents on the acquisition, disposition, and dis-
play of objects relating to women’s art, history, 
and culture; and 
(E) adopt bylaws for the operation of the 
council. 
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(2) PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES.—The coun-
cil, subject to the general policies of the Board of 
Regents, shall have sole authority to— 
(A) purchase, accept, borrow, and other-
wise acquire artifacts for addition to the collec-
tions of the museum; 
(B) loan, exchange, sell, and otherwise dis-
pose of any part of the collections of the mu-
seum, but only if the funds generated by that 
disposition are used for additions to the collec-
tions of the museum; or 
(C) specify criteria with respect to the use 
of the collections and resources of the museum, 
including policies on programming, education, 
exhibitions, and research with respect to— 
(i) the life, art, history, and culture of 
women; 
(ii) the role of women in the history of 
the United States; and 
(iii) the contributions of women to so-
ciety. 
(3) OTHER
RESPONSIBILITIES.—The council, 
subject to the general policies of the Board of Re-
gents, shall have authority— 
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(A) to provide for preservation, restoration, 
and maintenance of the collections of the mu-
seum; and 
(B) to solicit, accept, use, and dispose of 
gifts, bequests, and devises of personal property 
for the purpose of aiding and facilitating the 
work of the museum. 
(4) ENSURING DIVERSITY OF POLITICAL VIEW-
POINTS IN EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS.—In carrying 
out its duties, the council shall ensure that the ex-
hibits and programs of the museum reflect the diver-
sity of the political viewpoints held by women of the 
United States on the events and issues relating to 
the history of women in the United States. 
(c) COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The council shall be com-
posed of 25 voting members as provided under para-
graph (2). 
(2) VOTING MEMBERS.—The council shall in-
clude the following voting members: 
(A) The Secretary of the Smithsonian In-
stitution. 
(B) One member of the Board of Regents, 
appointed by the Board of Regents. 
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(C) 23 individuals appointed by the Board 
or Regents. In appointing members under this 
subparagraph, the Board of Regents should 
give special consideration to appointing— 
(i) members of the Congressional 
Commission; 
(ii) board members of the National 
Women’s History Museum, a nonprofit, 
educational organization described in sec-
tion 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 that was incorporated in 
1996 in the District of Columbia and that 
is dedicated for the purpose of establishing 
a women’s history museum; and 
(iii) scholars and representatives of 
organizations that are committed to the 
study of women’s history. 
(3) INITIAL
APPOINTMENTS.—The Board of 
Regents shall make initial appointments to the coun-
cil under paragraph (2) not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(d) TERMS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in this 
subsection, each appointed member of the council 
shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. 
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(2) INITIAL
APPOINTEES.—As designated by 
the Board of Regents at the time of appointment, of 
the voting members first appointed under subpara-
graph (C) of subsection (c)(2)— 
(A) 8 members shall be appointed for a 
term of 1 year; 
(B) 8 members shall be appointed for a 
term of 2 years; and 
(C) 7 members shall be appointed for a 
term of 3 years. 
(3) REAPPOINTMENT.—A member of the coun-
cil may be reappointed, except that no individual 
may serve on the council for a total of more than 
2 terms. For purposes of this paragraph, the num-
ber of terms an individual serves on the council shall 
not include any portion of a term for which an indi-
vidual is appointed to fill a vacancy under paragraph 
(4)(B). 
(4) VACANCIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the coun-
cil— 
(i) shall not affect the powers of the 
council; and 
(ii) shall be filled in the same manner 
as the original appointment was made. 
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(B) TERM.—Any member of the council 
appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the 
expiration of the term for which the member’s 
predecessor was appointed shall be appointed 
for the remainder of that term. 
(e) COMPENSATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), a member of the council shall serve with-
out pay. 
(2) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—A member of the 
council shall be allowed travel expenses, including 
per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized 
for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of 
chapter 57 of title 5, while away from the home or 
regular place of business of the member in the per-
formance of the duties of the council. 
(f) CHAIRPERSON.—By a majority vote of its voting 
members, the council shall elect a chairperson from its 
members. 
(g) MEETINGS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The council shall meet at 
the call of the chairperson or on the written request 
of a majority of the voting members of the council, 
but not fewer than twice each year. 
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(2) INITIAL MEETINGS.—During the 1-year pe-
riod beginning on the date of the first meeting of the 
council, the council shall meet not fewer than 4 
times for the purpose of carrying out the duties of 
the council under this subchapter. 
(h) QUORUM.—A majority of the voting members of 
the council holding office shall constitute a quorum for 
the purpose of conducting business, but a lesser number 
may receive information on behalf of the council. 
SEC. 5. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF THE MUSEUM. 
(a) DIRECTOR.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The museum established 
under section 3 shall have a Director who shall be 
appointed by the Secretary, taking into consideration 
individuals recommended by the council established 
under section 4. 
(2) DUTIES.—The Director shall manage the 
museum subject to the policies of the Board of Re-
gents. 
(b) STAFF.—The Secretary may appoint two addi-
tional employees to serve under the Director, except that 
such additional employees may be appointed without re-
gard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, gov-
erning appointments in the competitive service. 
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(c) PAY.—The employees appointed by the Secretary 
under subsection (b) may be paid without regard to the 
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 
of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification 
of positions and General Schedule pay rates. 
SEC. 6. EDUCATIONAL AND LIAISON PROGRAMS. 
(a) PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED.—The Director of the 
museum established under section 3 may carry out edu-
cational and liaison programs in support of the goals of 
the museum. 
(b) COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOLS.—In carrying 
out this section, the Director shall carry out educational 
programs in collaboration with elementary schools, sec-
ondary schools, and postsecondary schools. 
SEC. 7. BUILDING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) LOCATION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 6 
months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Board of Regents shall designate a site 
for the museum established under section 3. 
(B) SITES FOR CONSIDERATION.—In des-
ignating a site under subparagraph (A), the 
Board of Regents shall select from among the 
following sites in the District of Columbia: 
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(i) The site known as the ‘‘South 
Monument site’’, located on the National 
Mall and bordered by 14th Street North-
west, Jefferson Drive Southwest, Raoul 
Wallenberg Place Southwest, and Inde-
pendence Ave Southwest. 
(ii) The Northwest United States 
Capitol site, bordered by 3rd Street North-
west, Constitution Avenue Northwest, 1st 
Street Northwest, and Pennsylvania Ave 
Northwest. 
(iii) Any other appropriate location as 
identified by the Board of Regents in con-
sultation with the council established under 
section 4. 
(C) AVAILABILITY OF SITE.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—The sites described 
in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B) 
shall remain available until the date on 
which the Board of Regents designates a 
site for the museum under subparagraph 
(A). 
(ii) TRANSFER TO SMITHSONIAN IN-
STITUTION.—If the site designated for the 
museum is in an area that is under the ad-
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ministrative jurisdiction of a Federal agen-
cy, as soon as practicable after the date on 
which the designation is made, the head of 
the Federal agency shall transfer to the 
Smithsonian Institution administrative ju-
risdiction over the area. 
(D) FACTORS
CONSIDERED.—In desig-
nating a site under subparagraph (A), the 
Board of Regents shall take into consideration 
each of the following factors: 
(i) An estimate of the costs associated 
with each potential site. 
(ii) An assessment of the suitability of 
the space of each potential site, including 
size, proximity to other buildings and 
transportation, and other external environ-
mental conditions, as appropriate. 
(iii) The recommendations of the Con-
gressional Commission. 
(E) CONSULTATION.—The Board of Re-
gents shall carry out its duties under this para-
graph in consultation with each of the fol-
lowing: 
(i) The Chair of the National Capital 
Planning Commission. 
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(ii) The Chair of the Commission on 
Fine Arts. 
(iii) The Chair of the Congressional 
Commission. 
(iv) The chair and ranking minority 
member of the Committees on Appropria-
tions and Rules and Administration of the 
Senate. 
(v) The chair and ranking minority 
member of the Committees on Appropria-
tions, House Administration, and Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives. 
(F) PRIORITY.—In designating a site 
under subparagraph (A), the Board of Regents 
shall give priority to a site which is on or near 
the National Mall. 
(b) CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING.—The Board of 
Regents, in consultation with the council established under 
section 4, may plan, design, and construct a building for 
the museum, which shall be located at the site designated 
by the Board of Regents under subsection (a). 
(c) NONAPPLICABILITY OF PROVISIONS RELATING 
TO MONUMENTS AND COMMEMORATIVE WORKS.—Chap-
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ter 89 of title 40, United States Code, shall not apply with 
respect to the museum. 
(d) COST SHARING.—The Board of Regents shall 
pay— 
(1) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this 
section from Federal funds; and 
(2) 50 percent of the costs of carrying out this 
section from non-Federal sources. 
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act, the following definitions apply: 
(1) The term ‘‘Board of Regents’’ means the 
Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. 
(2) The term ‘‘Congressional Commission’’ 
means the Commission to Study the Potential Cre-
ation of a National Women’s History Museum, es-
tablished under section 3056 of the Military Con-
struction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 
(Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3810). 
(3) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of the Smithsonian Institution. 
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Smithsonian Institution to carry out this 
Act, including the planning, design, construction, and op-
eration of the museum established under section 3, such 
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sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2021 and each 
succeeding fiscal year. 
(b) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pursuant 
to the authorization under this section shall remain avail-
able until expended. 
(c) USE OF FUNDS FOR FUNDRAISING.—Amounts 
appropriated pursuant to the authorization under this sec-
tion may be used to conduct fundraising in support of the 
museum established under section 3 from private sources. 
Passed the House of Representatives February 11, 
2020. 
Attest: 
CHERYL L. JOHNSON, 
Clerk. 
By ROBERT F. REEVES, 
Deputy Clerk. 
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