SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM ACT

On 2026-05-21, Representative Emily Randall (D-WA-6) delivered a floor speech titled "SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM ACT" in the House.

SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3707-H3710] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM ACT The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, proceedings will resume on 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. The Clerk read the title of the bill. Motion to Recommit Ms. RANDALL. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to recommit. The Clerk read as follows: Ms. Randall of Washington moves to recommit the bill H.R. 1329 to the Committee on House Administration. The material previously referred to by Ms. Randall is as follows: Ms. Randall of Washington moves to recommit the bill H.R. 1329 to the Committee on House Administration with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with the following amendment: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Smithsonian American Women's History Museum and [[Page H3708]] Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act''. SEC. 2. SITE OF SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM. (a) Authorizing Site Within Reserve of National Mall.-- (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, including section 8908(c) of title 40, United States Code, the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum may be located within the Reserve (as defined in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code). (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 107(d) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t- 5(d)) is amended by striking ``, except that'' and all that follows and inserting a period. (b) Use of Site Under the Jurisdiction of Another Federal Agency.--Section 107(b) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t-5(b)) is amended to read as follows: ``(b) Site Under the Jurisdiction of Another Federal Agency.-- ``(1) Notification to other agency or entity.--The Board of Regents shall not designate a site for the Museum that is under the administrative jurisdiction of another Federal agency or entity without first notifying the head of the Federal agency or entity. ``(2) Notification to committees.--Once notified under paragraph (1), the head of the Federal agency or entity shall promptly submit written notification to the Chair and ranking minority members of the Committee on Rules and Administration, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and the Committee on House Administration, the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, stating that the Federal agency or entity was notified by the Board of Regents that a site under its jurisdiction was designated and that a transfer will be initiated as soon as practicable. ``(3) Transfer.--As soon as practicable after the date on which the individuals described in paragraph (2) receive the written notification described in such subparagraph, the head of the Federal agency or entity shall transfer to the Smithsonian Institution its administrative jurisdiction over the land or structure that has been designated as the site for the Museum.''. (c) Ensuring Diversity of Political Viewpoints and Authentic Experiences.--Section 104(b)(4) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t- 2(b)(4)) is amended to read as follows: ``(4) Ensuring diversity of political viewpoints and authentic experiences.-- ``(A) In general.--The Council shall ensure that the exhibits and programs of the Museum accurately and comprehensively represent the varied cultures, histories, events, and values held by women in the United States. ``(B) Specific requirements.--In carrying out its duties, the Council shall ensure that it seeks and utilizes to its maximum ability 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 shall seek such guidance for both the creation and substantial revision of exhibits and programs. ``(C) Definitions.--In this subparagraph-- ``(i) the term `broad array' means a range of experts and publications that represent the broad spectrum of communities of women, to include varied viewpoints, political ideologies, cultures, and lived experiences in the United States; and ``(ii) the term `knowledgeable and respected source' means an individual who has gained through education, publication, or witnessing an important or historical event, the ability to advise on at least one unique viewpoint or experience of a particular community of women in the United States, and whose knowledge has been relied upon by a notable segment of that community for education, heritage preservation, or historical purposes, and includes the work of such an individual which reflects such ability and knowledge.''. (d) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of the Smithsonian shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, a report on actions taken by the Director of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum and the Council of the Museum to comply with the requirements of the amendments made by subsection (c), including a description of actions taken with respect to substantial revisions of current exhibits and programs as well the planning of future exhibits and programs. (e) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made by this section shall take effect as if included in the enactment of title I of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80t et seq.). SEC. 3. SITE OF SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN LATINO. (a) Authorizing Site Within Reserve of National Mall.-- (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, including section 8908(c) of title 40, United States Code, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino may be located within the Reserve (as defined in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code). (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 201(g)(4) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80u(g)(4)) is amended by striking ``, except that'' and all that follows and inserting a period. (b) Use of Site Under the Jurisdiction of Another Federal Agency.--Section 201(g)(2) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80u(g)(2)) is amended to read as follows: ``(2) Site under the jurisdiction of another federal agency.-- ``(A) Notification to other agency or entity.--The Board of Regents shall not designate a site for the Museum that is under the administrative jurisdiction of another Federal agency or entity without first notifying the head of the Federal agency or entity. ``(B) Notification to committees.--Once notified under subparagraph (A), the head of the Federal agency or entity shall promptly submit written notification to the Chair and ranking minority members of the Committee on Rules and Administration, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and the Committee on House Administration, the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, stating that the Federal agency or entity was notified by the Board of Regents that a site under its jurisdiction was designated and that a transfer will be initiated as soon as practicable. ``(C) Transfer.--As soon as practicable after the date on which the individuals described in subparagraph (B) receive the written notification described in such subparagraph, the head of the Federal agency or entity shall transfer to the Smithsonian Institution its administrative jurisdiction over the land or structure that has been designated as the site for the Museum.''. (c) Ensuring Diversity of Political Viewpoints and Authentic Experiences.--Section 201(d)(2)(D) of division T of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (20 U.S.C. 80u(d)(2)(D)) is amended to read as follows: ``(D) Ensuring diversity of political viewpoints and authentic experiences.-- ``(i) In general.--The Board of Trustees shall ensure that the exhibits and programs of the Museum accurately and comprehensively represent the varied cultures, histories, events, and values of Hispanic or Latino communities. ``(ii) Specific requirements.--In carrying out its duties, the Board of Trustees shall ensure that it seeks and utilizes to its maximum ability guidance from a broad array of knowledgeable and respected sources reflecting the diversity of the political viewpoints and authentic experiences held by Hispanics or Latinos in the United States, and shall seek such guidance for both the creation and substantial revision of exhibits and programs. ``(iii) Definitions.--In this subparagraph-- ``(I) the term `broad array' means a range of experts and publications that represent the broad spectrum of Hispanic or Latino communities, to include varied viewpoints, political ideologies, cult

Referenced legislation: HCONRES86, HR1041, HR1329, HR6047