S. 680: National Women's History Museum Act of 2011

112th Congress · introduced 2011-03-30 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · Latest: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 37.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2011-03-30 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 37. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

National Women's History Museum Act of 2011

Plain summary

National Women's History Museum Act of 2011 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to convey, by quitclaim deed, to the National Women's History Museum, Inc. (the Museum) specified property (commonly known as the "Cotton Annex" site) in the District of Columbia, on terms which the Administrator deems appropriate. Requires the purchase price for the property to be: (1) its market value based on its highest and best use, as determined by an independent appraisal performed under the assumption that the property does not contain any hazardous substances, waste, or pollutants requiring a response under applicable environmental laws; and (2) paid into the Federal Buildings Fund. Requires the property to be dedicated for use as a site for a national women's history museum for a 99-year period. Prohibits using federal funds to purchase the property or design and construct any facility on such property. Provides for the reversion of the property to the United States without any obligation for repayment of any amount of the purchase price if: (1) it is not used as a site for a national women's history museum during the 99-year period, and (2) the Museum has not commenced construction of a museum facility on such property in a 5-year period other than for reasons beyond the Museum's control. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Administrator to contract with the Museum (or an affiliate) to address any contamination on the property. Directs any nonfederal funds used by the Museum on the Administrator's behalf in response to any such contamination to be credited to the purchase price of the property. Prohibits: (1) the availability of federal funds for such a credit, and (2) any credit from exceeding the purchase price. (Sec. 5) Directs the Museum to bear any costs of complying with this Act (subject to the Administrator's responsibility to address any contamination), including studies, reports, surveys, relocating tenants, and mitigating impacts to existing federal buildings and structures. (Sec. 6) Sets forth the responsibilities of the Administrator with respect to any zoning or land use matters relating to the Museum's development. (Sec. 7) Requires, for a five-year period or until substantial completion of the museum facility (whichever is later), an annual report to Congress and the Administrator detailing development and construction activities.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s)), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

National Women's History Museum Act of 2011

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s))

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The strongest published arguments

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] · 23 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Patty Murray (D-WA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernard Sanders (I-VT)

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] reported raising $22.5 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Appraisal: An estimate of what property is worth. In Texas, county appraisal districts set the value that property taxes are based on.
Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Obligation: A binding promise by a government agency to pay money, for example by signing a contract or awarding a grant. Spending data such as USAspending.gov counts money when it is obligated, which can be before it is actually paid out.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s))
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-112s680.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/112/s>

Record fed-us-cong112-s680 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong112 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong112