Women's museum advances in House

A House panel voted Wednesday to advance the creation of a National Women's History Museum in Washington.

The legislation would promote the museum, the fate of which has idled in Congress for almost two decades, even as museums dedicated to other groups — including Native Americans and African-Americans — have broken ground on the National Mall.

Supporters of the legislation, which passed the House Administration Committee by unanimous vote, say the time has come to acknowledge the contributions of women with a comprehensive memorial of the same prominence.

"Women have contributed in every war effort, been inventors, been architects, business innovators and leaders in shaping America's politics," said Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.), who heads the House Administration panel.

Passing the bill, Miller added, "would be an important step toward memorializing America's memory of the deep and enduring contributions women have made."

Sponsored by Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Marsha BlackburnMarsha BlackburnUS lawmakers call on EU to label entire Hezbollah a terrorist organization Hillicon Valley: Trump tweet gets warning again | Australia under cyberattack | North Face pulls Facebook ads Republicans take aim at Google in fight to remove legal shield MORE (R-Tenn.), the proposal would create an eight-member commission — appointed by bipartisan leaders in both the House and Senate — charged with examining the best way to open a women's history museum “on or near” the National Mall.

Within 18 months, the panel would report recommendations to Congress and the White House for building and maintaining the project. The commission's costs would be covered by private donations, not taxpayer dollars.

Rep. Robert Brady (Pa.), senior Democrat on the House Administration panel, was quick to endorse the measure. Brady suggested, however, that the commission should ultimately consist of more than eight members and include presidential appointees, as well.

"This would enhance the commission's chances of ultimate success," Brady said Wednesday.

The House Natural Resources Committee, which also has jurisdiction over the issue, is expected to approve the measure during a similar markup next week.

That would send the bill to the House floor, where Majority Leader Eric CantorEric Ivan CantorTrump taps pollster to push back on surveys showing Biden with double-digit lead Bottom Line The Democrats' strategy conundrum: a 'movement' or a coalition? MORE (R-Va.) has said he'll act on the measure this year.

A Senate companion bill, introduced last year by Sens. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsThe Hill's Coronavirus Report: Stagwell President Mark Penn says Trump is losing on fighting the virus; Fauci says U.S. 'going in the wrong direction' in fight against virus GOP senators debate replacing Columbus Day with Juneteenth as a federal holiday Senate passes extension of application deadline for PPP small-business loans MORE (R-Maine) and Barbara MikulskiBarbara Ann MikulskiLobbying World Only four Dem senators have endorsed 2020 candidates Raskin embraces role as constitutional scholar MORE (D-Md.), has 20 co-sponsors, including 17 of the Senate's 20 female lawmakers.