Study to create women’s history museum tucked into defense bill

Buried deep into the 2015 defense authorization bill is a measure to establish a commission for studying the creation of a national women’s history museum.

The House passed the massive, 1,648-page defense measure on Thursday by a vote of 300-119. It’s expected to hit the Senate floor next week.

The package also includes a public lands bills that add new wilderness designations and create new national parks.

{mosads}The measure to establish the commission requires the group to submit a report within 18 months to Congress and the president on building a women’s history museum.

Earlier this year, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill sponsored by Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) to create the commission for building such a museum on or near the National Mall. 

But some conservatives, like Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), objected to the bill because they worry it would honor “radical feminists” and women who support abortion rights. 

Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) blocked passage of the legislation by unanimous consent in the upper chamber due to concerns that the museum’s construction would increase the deficit if federal funds are used.

Lee’s office declined to comment about the inclusion of the bill in the defense authorization, while Coburn’s did not respond to inquiries.

However, Maloney and Blackburn have stressed that their bill simply establishes a commission, which won’t be of any cost to taxpayers. Moreover, under their proposal, the cost of the commission and building the museum would both be funded by private donations.

Maloney expressed optimism the creation of a women’s history museum, for which she has advocated since 1998, would be closer to fruition.

“I’m hopeful that this bipartisan legislation, which cleared the House of Representatives by a wide margin and is supported by all 20 female U.S. Senators, will soon become law,” Maloney said in a statement.

Washington, D.C.’s non-voting delegate, Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), similarly urged for its passage.

“It is time to stop delay of a National Women’s Museum in our nation’s capital, particularly when the public seems eager to learn more about the impact of women in our society,” Norton said.