On International Women’s Day, Fitzpatrick Pushes to Secure National Mall Location for Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – As the nation celebrates Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) is once again leading the bipartisan charge to ensure women’s contributions are permanently honored at the heart of the nation’s capital.
Having led the successful fight to establish the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum in 2020, Fitzpatrick is now spearheading efforts to secure its rightful place on the National Mall—where the defining stories of America are told.
H.R. 1329, introduced with Representatives Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Judy Chu (CA-28), Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), Debbie Dingell (MI-6), Mike Carey (OH-5), and Emilia Sykes (OH-13), authorizes the transfer of land on the National Mall to the Smithsonian Institution to build the museum. With over 90 bipartisan cosponsors, the bill ensures that the stories of America’s trailblazing women are told, celebrated, and preserved for generations to come.
Key Provisions of H.R. 1329:
- Secures a Prominent Location on the National Mall – The bill authorizes the transfer of land within the Mall’s reserve to the Smithsonian Institution, ensuring that the museum is placed where America’s most significant history is told.
- Maintains Congressional Oversight – Requires biennial reporting to guarantee transparency and accountability in the museum’s construction and curation.
- Does Not Require New Federal Spending – The legislation simply allows for land designation without imposing additional costs on taxpayers.
Fitzpatrick: "Women’s Achievements Deserve a Place of Honor”
"America’s story is incomplete without the women who built it. I was proud to lead the bipartisan charge to establish the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum in 2020, but a museum without a home cannot fulfill its mission. The National Mall is where our nation honors its history—and women’s history belongs there. This bill ensures that future generations will see, learn from, and be inspired by the trailblazing women who shaped our country—right where they should be, at the heart of our capital,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.
"When WonderWoman first aired 50 years ago, women were still fighting for many basic rights, including equal pay, the ability to obtain a credit card without a male co-signer, protections against pregnancy discrimination and sexual harassment, the right to serve on juries, and access to military academies," said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. "While great progress has been made, it is important we recognize and preserve women's contributions to our nation's history. That’s why I have reintroduced bipartisan legislation to construct the Smithsonian Women’s History Museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C."
“Generations of American women have played a critical role in shaping and supporting our nation. By providing the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum with a dedicated space on the National Mall in Washington, DC, we are permanently honoring their stories and contributions. I am proud to join this bipartisan effort to ensure the incredible history of American women is easily accessible to the millions of people who visit our nation's capital every year” said Rep. Monica De La Cruz.
“The National Mall tells the story of our country, but that story is incomplete without the inclusion of the prolific accomplishments of America’s women and the ways they have made our union a more perfect one,” said Rep. Judy Chu. “That’s why I’m working with a broad coalition of Members of Congress to introduce and pass bipartisan legislation to secure the rightful, prominent spot on the National Mall that the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum deserves. I will continue to support and co-sponsor legislation requiring the National Museum of the American Latino be placed on the National Mall as well.”
Background:
In 2019, Fitzpatrick introduced the Smithsonian Women’s History Museum Act, laying the foundation for a national museum dedicated to American women’s history. In 2020, his legislation was signed into law—making the museum a reality. Now, with H.R. 1329, Fitzpatrick is ensuring it has a permanent home where every visitor, student, and young girl who walks through its doors will see the depth of women’s contributions and be inspired to carry their legacy forward.
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