H.R. 1329: Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act
Sponsor
Nicole Malliotakis
Republican · NY-11
Bill Progress
Latest Action · May 21, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
This museum bill writes exhibit rules into law
Why it matters
A museum backed by 231 cosponsors would get a National Mall site, a 180-day presidential relocation window, and a federal rule that bars the museum from portraying any biological male as female. H.R. 1329 doesn't just advance a building — it sets content standards and recurring congressional oversight from the start.
H.R. 1329 would place the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum at the South Monument site on the National Mall, bordered by 14th Street Southwest, Jefferson Drive Southwest, Raoul Wallenberg Place Southwest, and Independence Avenue Southwest. The President could choose a different site, but only within 180 days after the bill becomes law.
The Smithsonian would not get a blank check or a free hand. The bill requires approvals from multiple federal planning and design bodies before construction, and it says the Smithsonian must reimburse the federal agency involved for approval-related costs within 60 days.
The biggest change is about museum content. The bill says the museum's mission is to present the history, achievements, and lived experiences of biological women in the United States, and it bars the museum from identifying or depicting any biological male as female.
It also adds a viewpoint requirement. The museum's council would have to seek, to the maximum extent possible, equal representation of different political viewpoints and authentic experiences held by women in the United States when creating or substantially revising exhibits and programs.
Congress would keep a close watch. The Smithsonian Secretary would have to send the first compliance report within 120 days, then every 2 years after that, covering exhibit revisions, program changes, and future plans.
H.R. 1329 Bill Summary
What H.R. 1329 actually does.
National Mall location gets locked in quickly
H.R. 1329 designates the South Monument site for the museum. The President can pick another location, but only within 180 days after enactment.
The Smithsonian has to cover approval costs
If federal agencies incur costs during the approval process, the Smithsonian must reimburse them within 60 days. The bill does not set a dollar cap.
Multiple agencies must approve the project
Before construction can move ahead, the Smithsonian would need sign-off from its Board of Regents plus federal planning and design bodies, including the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission.
Congress defines who the museum is about
The bill says the museum is dedicated to the history, achievements, and lived experiences of biological women in the United States. It also says the museum may not depict any biological male as female.
Exhibits must reflect different political viewpoints
The museum's council must, to the extent practicable, ensure equal representation of diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences held by women in the United States. It must also seek guidance from a broad range of sources when creating or substantially revising exhibits and programs.
Congress gets reports within 120 days
The Smithsonian Secretary must report to seven congressional committees within 120 days after enactment and every 2 years after that, explaining how the museum is complying with the bill.
Who benefits from H.R. 1329?
Supporters who want the museum on the National Mall
They get a named site right away, not an open-ended search. Unless the President acts within 180 days, the museum goes to the South Monument site.
Lawmakers who want direct oversight of exhibits
Congress gets regular reporting starting within 120 days, then every 2 years, with updates on exhibit revisions, programs, and future planning.
People who want the museum's mission defined in statute
The bill writes the museum's scope directly into federal law instead of leaving those decisions entirely to Smithsonian leadership and curators.
Who is affected by H.R. 1329?
Smithsonian leaders and museum planners
They would have to manage land transfer, secure multiple approvals, repay approval-related costs within 60 days, and file recurring compliance reports to Congress.
Curators and exhibit designers
Their work would be constrained by statutory rules on who the museum covers and by a requirement to reflect diverse political viewpoints when building or revising exhibits.
Visitors to the future museum
What you see in the galleries would be shaped not only by historical interpretation but also by congressional language on mission, representation, and reporting.
The federal agency that controls the site now
That agency would have to transfer administrative control of the land to the Smithsonian as soon as practicable after enactment.
What Congress Is Saying
13 legislators have weighed in on H.R. 1329 — 6 Democrats, 7 Republicans.
H.R. 1329 also appeared in 3 more House floor references and 29 routine cosponsor filings.
HR1329 Legislative Journey
House: Failed
May 21, 2026
On passage Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 204 - 216 (Roll no. 188).
+12 more actions this day
House: Passed
May 20, 2026
Rule H. Res. 1300 passed House.
House: Committee Action
May 19, 2026
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1300 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1041, H.R. 6047 and H.R. 1329. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1041, H.R. 6047, and H.R. 1329 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
House: Committee Action
Apr 23, 2026
Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
House: Vote: 7-4
Mar 18, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 7 - 4.
House: Committee Action
Feb 10, 2026
Subcommittee Hearings Held
House: Committee Action
Feb 3, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
House: Committee Action
Feb 13, 2025
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
About the Sponsor
Nicole Malliotakis
Republican, New York's 11th congressional district · 5 years in Congress
Committees: Joint Economic Committee, Ways and Means
View full profile →
Cosponsors (231)
This bill has 231 cosponsors: 127 Democrats, 105 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 45 states: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, and 42 more.
Judy Chu
Democrat · CA
Monica De La Cruz
Republican · TX
Debbie Dingell
Democrat · MI
Nick LaLota
Republican · NY
James McGovern
Democrat · MA
Russell Fry
Republican · SC
Suzan DelBene
Democrat · WA
Carol Miller
Republican · WV
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Democrat · FL
Carlos Gimenez
Republican · FL
Andrea Salinas
Democrat · OR
Michael Lawler
Republican · NY
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Committee on House Administration
5 of 12 committee members cosponsored
Natural Resources Committee
27 of 45 committee members cosponsored
16 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 1329 Quick Facts
- Committee
- House Administration
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Arts, Culture, Religion
- Introduced
- Feb 13, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
May 21, 2026
Official Sources
Official legislative status page for H.R. 1329, including text, actions, cosponsors, and summaries.
The bill requires approval from the National Capital Planning Commission before the museum can be planned, designed, and constructed.
The Commission of Fine Arts is one of the design-review bodies specifically named in the bill for museum approvals.
This is the U.S. Code section governing the museum’s site and building provisions that H.R. 1329 would amend.
This is the museum purpose section that H.R. 1329 would amend to add statutory content rules about the museum’s mission.
This is the council section that H.R. 1329 would amend to require equal representation of different political viewpoints and authentic experiences.
The museum’s current statutory framework was enacted in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which H.R. 1329 repeatedly amends.
H.R. 1329 Common Questions
What does H.R. 1329 actually do?
It puts the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum on a National Mall site, sets federal design and approval rules, requires reports to Congress, and adds content rules for exhibits.
Where would the museum go under H.R. 1329?
The bill designates the South Monument site on the National Mall, bordered by 14th Street Southwest, Jefferson Drive Southwest, Raoul Wallenberg Place Southwest, and Independence Avenue Southwest.
Can the President move the museum to another site?
Yes. H.R. 1329 gives the President 180 days after enactment to designate an alternative site. If that window closes, the South Monument site stays in place.
Does H.R. 1329 set rules for what the museum can display?
Yes. The bill says the museum is about the history, achievements, and lived experiences of biological women in the United States, and it bars depicting any biological male as female.
Would the museum have to include different political viewpoints?
Yes. The bill says the museum’s council must, to the extent practicable, ensure equal representation of diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences held by women in the United States.
Who would approve the museum's design and construction?
The Smithsonian Board of Regents would be involved, along with the relevant federal agency and outside review bodies such as the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission.
How soon would Congress get updates?
Fast. The first report would be due within 120 days after enactment, and new reports would follow every 2 years covering compliance, exhibit revisions, and future plans.
Does H.R. 1329 include a funding amount for the museum?
No specific funding amount appears in the bill text provided. It does require the Smithsonian to reimburse federal approval-process costs within 60 days, but it does not set a dollar cap.
Based on H.R. 1329 bill text
H.R. 1329 Bill Text
“To permit the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum to be located within the Reserve of the National Mall, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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