Cárdenas, Chu, Malliotakis, González-Colón Introduce Bill to Build Historic Smithsonian Women’s & Latino Museums on the National Mall
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Congresswomen Judy Chu (CA-28), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) and Jenniffer González-Colón (Puerto Rico) introduced H.R.9274, the Smithsonian History of American Women and Latino (SHAWL) Act, the bipartisan legislation that would allow the construction of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum and National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall.
"The introduction of this critical bill brings us one step closer to fulfilling the dream of having both museums right where they belong - on the National Mall," said Congressman Tony Cárdenas. "Building these museums on the mall will enrich the experience of the millions of visitors to our nation’s capital and will serve to tell a more complete history of our country."
"The National Mall tells the story of our country, and that story is incomplete without the inclusion of the prolific accomplishments of America’s women and the Latino community, and the ways they have made our union a more perfect one," said Congresswoman Judy Chu. "I’m working with a broad coalition of Members of Congress to introduce and pass the bipartisan SHAWL Act, which will see to it that the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and the National Museum of the American Latino secure their rightful, prominent spots on the National Mall."
"I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan SHAWL Act to continue building on efforts to make these critically important museums a reality," said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. "By establishing these museums, we can share the stories of the trailblazing women and Latinos who came before us so future generations can learn about their many contributions, how they helped build our nation and fought for equal rights and protections under the law."
Efforts to build the National Museum of the American Latino began in 2003 when former Reps. Xavier Becerra (D-CA) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) introduced legislation to create a commission to study the feasibility of a future museum. In 2008, that legislation was signed into law and a 23-member commission was formed soon after. In May 2011, the Commission’s work culminated in a final report presented to President Barack Obama and Congressional leaders laying out a detailed plan for the establishment of a world-class museum on the National Mall.
In December 2020, Congress voted on a bipartisan omnibus package that included authorization for the development of the Nation Museum of the American Latino. Congressman Cardenas along with his colleagues Congressmen José E. Serrano (D-NY-15) and Will Hurd (R-TX-23) introduced the standalone bill in 2019, H.R. 2420, the National Museum of the American Latino Act that would establish a Smithsonian National Museum on the National Mall dedicated to honoring the contributions of American Latinos throughout U.S. history. It was later signed into law by President Donald Trump.
In October 2022, the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents announced the two most ideal sites for the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. The Tidal Basin site is approximately 5.25 acres and is located on Independence Avenue SW and Raoul Wallenberg SW. It overlooks the Tidal Basin and has views of the Jefferson and Washington Monuments. The South Monument site is approximately 1.4 acres and is located on Independence Avenue SW and 14 Street SW with views of the Washington Monument and the United States Capitol. Both locations are near each other and prominently sit on the National Mall.