A handful of House Republicans sounded the death knell on legislation to establish a Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum on Thursday over concerns that the content of the museum would perpetuate “identity politics” and take up more of the National Mall’s limited space.The bill, led by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), failed 204-216, with no Democratic support. Democrats overwhelmingly opposed the legislation over a GOP requirement that only biological women be honored. Six GOP hard-line defectors — Reps. Keith Self (R-TX), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Andy Harris (R-MD), and Tim Burchett (R-TN) — opposed the bill.A GOP staffer familiar with conservative concerns over the museum told the Washington Examiner that the members feared it would become “woke.” The staffer also detailed GOP concerns over the museum’s planned location on the National Mall, as well as costs to construct the building.
Burchett told reporters he voted against the legislation over concerns that Democrats would change the scope of the museum when they regain control of Washington to include transgender people.
Self expressed similar concerns, telling the Washington Examiner that Republicans “don’t need to buy into the identity politics; we need great American museums.” He also expressed concerns over the location, saying he didn’t want the museum on the National Mall.
