Mikulski Applauds Legislation to Establish Women’s History Museum

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) today applauded passage by the House of Representatives of bipartisan legislation that would help establish a museum in our nation’s capital dedicated to women’s history. The legislation forms a Congressional Commission on the Potential Creation of a National Women’s History’ Museum in Washington, DC. Following House passage, the bill now heads to the Senate where Senators Mikulski and Susan Collins (R-Maine) are leading the charge and have introduced similar legislation.

 “Women’s history is American history,” said Senator Mikulski. “Women have been trailblazers throughout our history, using grit, passion, and determination to seize the day and to make a difference. We must not only honor the past – we must learn from it. A National Women’s History Museum will be a fitting tribute to recognize their lasting legacy while inspiring future generations of women and girls.”

The legislation creates a panel to examine and recommend how and where to best establish a museum in Washington, D.C. dedicated to women’s history. Although Congress authorized various other museums such as the National Museum for African American History and Culture, the National Law Enforcement Museum, and the National Museum of the American Indian, there is still no institution in the capital region dedicated to women’s role in our country’s history. Unlike previous museum commissions, taxpayers will not fund this project. The proposed legislation calls for the Commission to fund itself.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the commission and the museum would have no significant impact on federal spending. The bill authorizes the commission to accept and spend monetary gifts, and a 501(c)3 organization, National Women’s History Museum (NWHM), is already raising the funds necessary to pay for the commission.

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