Efforts to build a National Women’s History Museum in Washington, DC, are on hold for now, as Republican U.S. Senators Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Jim DeMint of South Carolina have used parliamentary tactics to delay passage of legislation creating the museum.

 

The reasons cited by Coburn and DeMint range from financial concerns to giving too much weight to the abortion rights movement. DeMint reportedly received a letter from the conservative Concerned Women for America which claimed the new museum would “focus on abortion rights without featuring any of the many contributions of the pro-life movement in America.” Supporters of the museum rejected that argument. Museum CEO Joan Wages told USA Today, “We are not going to do an exhibit on that issue because we have to raise $400 million. We cannot afford, literally, to focus on issues that are divisive.”

 

As for the financial concerns, supporters of the museum held a $350-plate fundraiser last week that featured actress Meryl Streep, who pledged to donate $1 million. Former Abbott Laboratories CEO Duane Burnham has promised to match Streep’s contribution.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Two Senators Put Hold on Women's Museum (by Gregory Korte, USA Today)