National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021--Conference
Floor Speech
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Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, before I give my remarks, I want to strongly associate myself with the comments that have been made this evening by my colleagues from Texas and New Jersey--Senator Cornyn and Senator Menendez--in support of a museum to celebrate and commemorate the achievements of Latinos in our country.
I could not help but wonder, as I heard the comments of my colleague from Utah, whether he also tried to block the museum celebrating and telling the history of African Americans, that museum which is so popular on the Mall. I wondered whether he tried to block also the creation of the museum that tells the story of Native Americans.
I am convinced that if this bill, which has just been described by my two colleagues, were brought to a vote on the Senate floor, it would pass, not unanimously, that is clear, but with a very strong vote. And it seems wrong that one Senator can block consideration of a bill that would have overwhelming support by a majority of this body. Unanimous Consent Request--S. 959
So, Madam President, I rise today on behalf of myself and the Senator from California, Mrs. Feinstein, to urge the Senate to take the important step of passing our legislation to establish a long overdue women's history museum in our Nation's Capital.
This is an issue that I have been working on since 2003, when I introduced the first bill to tell the story of more than half of our population, of the contributions of American women to our country in every field: government, business, medicine, law, literature, sports, entertainment, the arts, the military, the family.
Telling the history of American women matters, and a museum recognizing our achievements and experiences has long been a goal of many of the women and men who serve in this Chamber.
Following 18 months of study by an independent, bipartisan commission established by Congress, the Commission unanimously concluded: ``America needs and deserves a physical national museum dedicated to showcasing the historical experiences and impact of women in the country.'' I agree wholeheartedly with the Commission's unanimous conclusion.
This year, we commemorate the 100th anniversary of suffrage for women in this country and the decades-long fight for women's equality at the ballot box. It is extraordinary to me that just 100 years ago, not every woman in this country was allowed to vote in every State. That is not that long ago. That story is one of the stories that needs to be told.
Amid the celebrations of this historic year, I can think of no better way to tell the story of American women to inspire those young girls and young boys who come to Washington to tour all the wonderful museums that are part of the Smithsonian than to create a museum of American women's history so that they can better understand the contributions of American women to the development of our Nation and its proud history.
As with the legislation that would establish a museum celebrating and commemorating the history of Latino and Latina Americans, this legislation has passed the House by an overwhelming margin. Surely, we ought to be able to take it up and pass it here too.
599, S. 959. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendment be withdrawn, the Murkowski amendment at the desk be agreed to, and the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed, and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
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Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I think this is a sad moment. I had hoped that we could proceed with both of these bills and pass them before the end of this year.
Surely, in a year where we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage, this is the time, this is the moment to finally pass the legislation unanimously recommended by an independent commission to establish an American women's history museum in our Nation's Capital. I regret that that will not occur this evening, but we will not give up the fight.
Thank you
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