House Defeats Revised Smithsonian Women's Museum Bill After GOP Changes
The House rejected a revised bill to authorize a site for the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum in a 204-216 vote on Thursday, May 21, 2026, leaving the museum's location uncertain.[1]
Republicans rewrote the bill to bar the inclusion of transgender people from museum exhibits by defining the museum's scope around "biological women" and to limit the diversity of views allowed in exhibits.[1] The amendment would also have given President Donald Trump final authority to pick a site on or near the National Mall, prompting opposition from Democrats and some conservative Republicans.[1]
Congress authorized the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum in 2020, but it still lacks statutory authority for a specific National Mall site.[1] Democrats, including the Democratic Women's Caucus, opposed the revised bill, and several conservative Republicans also voted no, leaving the museum's future location unresolved.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the House rejected the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum siting bill in a 204-216 vote.
- Republicans revised the bill to bar inclusion of transgender people in exhibits by defining the museum’s scope around "biological women" and to limit exhibit "diversity" of views.
- The amended bill would have given President Donald Trump final say over the museum’s location on or near the National Mall.
- Democrats, including the Democratic Women’s Caucus, opposed the revised bill, and several conservative Republicans also voted no, leaving the museum’s future location uncertain.
- The museum was authorized by Congress in 2020, but it still lacks statutory authority for a specific National Mall site.
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