Legislation passed in 2020 to create the Women’s Suffrage National Monument in Washington, D.C., did not authorize construction of the monument on the National Mall, prompting U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) to unveil a bipartisan bill that would guarantee such work takes place in the nation’s capital.
Sen. Blackburn on Dec. 7 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Location Act, S. 5196, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to authorize the location of the monument on the National Mall to commemorate and honor the women’s suffrage movement and passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, according to the text of the bill.
“I’m pleased to join Senator Baldwin in this bipartisan legislation that will ensure the Women’s Suffrage Monument is given its rightful place on the National Mall and honors the work of Susan B. Anthony and the trailblazers who fought ardently for future generations of women,” Sen. Blackburn said on Dec. 9.
Passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution granted women the right to vote. The 19th Amendment was first ratified in Wisconsin and last ratified in Tennessee.
“Tennessee has played a critical role in the women’s suffrage fight since we became the 36th and final state needed to ratify the 19th Amendment — granting women the right to vote,” said Sen. Blackburn.
Sen. Baldwin said she’s honored to introduce S. 5196 to ensure that the monument to honor the suffragettes and their fight for women’s right to vote is housed in its rightful place on the National Mall.
“The National Mall is home to memorials for those who fought for our freedom, presidents who defined our country, and the seat of our government, and it is only fitting that it also houses the Women’s Suffrage National Monument,” she said.
S. 5196 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.