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H.R. 19: Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act

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H.R. 19: Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act

115th Congress · introduced 2017-03-30 · Arts, Culture, Religion · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-03-30 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. 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

Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act

Plain summary

Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act This bill establishes a comprehensive women's history museum within the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, to provide for: (1) the collection, study, and establishment of programs related to women's contributions that have influenced the direction of the United States; (2) collaboration with other Smithsonian museums and facilities, outside museums, and educational institutions; and (3) the creation of exhibitions and programs that recognize diverse perspectives on women's history and contributions. The bill establishes a council within the Smithsonian Institution to: (1) make recommendations to the Smithsonian's Board of Regents for the construction of the museum; (2) advise and assist the board on the administration and preservation of the museum; (3) recommend annual operating budgets for the museum; and (4) report annually to the board on the acquisition, disposition, and display of objects related to women's art, history, and culture. The council shall have sole authority to: (1) acquire artifacts for the museum's collections, (2) dispose of any part of the collections but only if funds generated are used for additions to the collections, (3) specify criteria for the use of the museum's collections and resources, and (4) preserve and maintain the collections. The museum's director may carry out educational and liaison programs in support of its goals.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), 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

Smithsonian Women's History Museum Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Alternatives

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12] · 257 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Alma S. Adams (D-NC), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Ami Bera (D-CA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Katherine M. Clark (D-MA), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Bill Foster (D-IL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), John Garamendi (D-CA), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Robin L. Kelly (D-IL), John B. Larson (D-CT), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and 197 more.

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 (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-hr19 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115