All four Democrats on the House Administration Committee stood united against a proposal aimed at establishing the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum on the National Mall. The bill, which advanced through the committee with a 7-4 vote strictly along party lines, was sponsored by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), who does not serve on the committee.
In a post on X, Malliotakis expressed her disappointment, stating, “Democrats opposed an amendment to ensure the museum only honors biological women.” She emphasized the importance of the amendment, which states the museum “shall be dedicated to preserving, researching, and presenting the history, achievements, and lived experiences of biological women in the United States.” This language explicitly bars the museum from depicting “any biological male as a female.”
The voting bloc opposing the proposal included notable figures such as Ranking Member Rep. Joe Morelle of New York and fellow committee members Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama, Rep. Norma Torres of California, and Rep. Julie Johnson of Texas. These Democrats previously added their names as cosponsors when the bill had bipartisan backing of 231 cosponsors.
Morelle criticized Republicans during a statement to Fox News Digital, arguing that they inserted “ideological poison pills” into the bill. He claimed the amendment fundamentally altered the nature of the proposal, which originally aimed to unite support across party lines. “The Republican majority took a bipartisan, Republican-led bill with 230 cosponsors and, at the last minute, replaced it with one that gives President Trump unchecked authority to choose the museum’s location, and it hands control of its design and construction to boards now filled with political loyalists,” Morelle stated. He also pointed out that the revised proposal neglects the inclusion of a sister museum dedicated to honoring American Latinos.
In a pointed critique, Morelle referred to Trump as the “star of the Epstein files and Access Hollywood tape,” implying that his involvement in the museum’s direction would undermine its mission to honor American women.
In response to the failure to advance the bill with the amendment intact, Lara Trump, former President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, described the Democrats’ opposition as “insane” and shared her sentiments with a clown emoji, a sign of derision aimed at the opposing party’s stance.
Riley Gaines, a former college swimmer who advocates against allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports, voiced her opinions on social media. She remarked that the museum is “one step closer to the National Mall,” although she saw the necessity of the amendment as indicative of a much larger national debate. Gaines stated, “It passed out of committee, BUT only along party lines after an amendment was added to ensure it honors real women, not men identifying as women.” In solidarity with Malliotakis, she expressed gratitude for the Congresswoman’s efforts to uphold the recognition of “real women” in the museum’s narrative.
This divide showcases a wider conflict over issues of identity and recognition within American culture. As seen in this vote, the discussion surrounding women’s history is not merely about celebrating achievements; it reflects broader societal debates on gender and identity that are increasingly contentious.
The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum project stands at a crossroads, highlighting the clash between differing ideological beliefs in Congress. The outcome raises questions about how history should be preserved and which voices receive representation. With emotions running high and lines drawn clearly between parties, this legislative episode exemplifies how deeply intertwined politics can become with matters of cultural significance. As Gaines aptly noted, “Yes, that’s where the debate is in 2026,” indicating that this issue is likely to remain front and center in the coming years.
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