On October 29th, Senator Susan Collins introduced S. 2129, the National Women’s History Museum Act. There are 19 original cosponsors of the bill including Senators Barbara Boxer, Maria Cantwell, Dianne Feinstein, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kay Hagan, Amy Klobuchar, Mary Landrieu, Blanche Lincoln, Claire McCaskill, Barbara Mikulski, Lisa Murkowski, Patty Murray, Jeanne Shaheen, Olympia Snowe and Debbie Stabenow, as well as Joe Lieberman, Chuck Grassley, Mark Pryor, and George Voinovich. It is identical language to the bill that recently passed the House.

In introducing the bill, Senator Collins stated, “This museum would help ensure that future generations understand what we owe to the many generations of American women who have helped build, sustain, and advance our society. They deserve a building to present the stories of pioneering women like abolitionist Harriet Tubman, founder of the Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and astronaut Sally Ride.”

The bill will be referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works chaired by Senator Boxer. We’re told the Committee could take up the bill before year’s end.