Female senators push for National Women’s History Museum

Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) said she’s supporting a bill that would help establish a national museum dedicated to women's history.

"Women's history is American history," Mikulski said in a statement Monday. "Women have been trailblazers throughout our history, using grit, passion and determination to seize the day and to make a difference. … A National Women's History Museum will be a fitting tribute to recognize their lasting legacy while inspiring future generations of women and girls."

Mikulski said she’d support the National Women's History Museum Commission Act, which is being introduced by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). The legislation would create a panel to examine and recommend how and where to build the museum in Washington, D.C.

With funding being cut to control the growing deficit, the proposed legislation calls for the commission to fund itself.

"A museum dedicated to women's history would help ensure that future generations understand what we owe to the many generations of American women who have helped build, sustain and advance our society," Collins said. "This can and should be done at no expense to American taxpayers.”

Mikulski's statement said that she is co-sponsoring Collin's bill with Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

Mikulski is the longest serving women in Congress and refers to herself as the Dean of the Senate women.

Currently, the National Museum for African American History and Culture is under construction on the National Mall.

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