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Congress passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill on Monday that also greenlit the establishment of two new Smithsonian museums that will honor Latinx and women s history, marking a victory for museum advocates who have been fighting for decades.
The Smithsonian Institution, which currently operates 19 museums and a national zoo, needs federal approval in order to construct a new museum. Utah senator Mike Lee, a Republican, cast the lone vote blocking the legislation earlier this month. Now, with the National Museum of the American Latino Act and Smithsonian Women s History Museum Act folded into the coronavirus relief package, the legislation heads to President Donald Trump s desk.
Smithsonian
Originally published on December 22, 2020 11:56 am
The creation of new Smithsonian museums dedicated to Latinos and women can now move forward. Earlier this month, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) was the lone vote blocking legislation, saying separate-but-equal museums would further divide an already divided nation. Supporters of both museums quickly moved to ensure the museums would be included in the $900 billion year-end spending package which was passed by Congress on Monday and now heads to President Trump s desk. We have overcome tremendous obstacles and unbelievable hurdles to get to this historic moment, but, as I ve said before, Latinos are used to overcoming obstacles. - Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
After Decades of Lobbying, Congress Has Approved the Creation of New Smithsonian Museums for American Latinos and Women’s History
Legislation for the new Smithsonian museums was included in the 5,500-page omnibus spending bill passed last night.
December 22, 2020
Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) appears on SiriusXM Presents: Women In Congress. Photo by Larry French/Getty Images for SiriusXM.
After decades of stops and starts, Congress has finally approved the creation of two new Smithsonian museums, one dedicated to American Latinos and the other to women’s history.
Legislation calling for the building of the National Museum of the American Latino and an American Women’s History Museum on or near the National Mall in Washington, DC, was included in the 5,500-page year-end omnibus spending bill passed last night by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Congress approves Smithsonian museums for Latinos and women s history 790business.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from 790business.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Congress backs Sen. Collins’ measure for women’s history museum
Two new Smithsonian museums for the nation s capital included in year-end funding bill, including one Collins has sought since 2003.
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A new Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum on the National Mall that U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has supported for years was part of a year-end omnibus funding bill that sailed through Congress.
“Telling the history of American women matters, it inspires girls to know that there are no boundaries to their potential,” Collins told a Senate panel last month. “A museum recognizing the achievements and experiences of American women is long overdue.”