WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., lobbied against the establishment of a National Women's History Museum on the House floor Wednesday, because she believes it promotes radical feminism and the pro-choice movement.
"I rise today in opposition to this bill, because I believe ultimately this museum, that will be built on the National Mall, on federal land, will enshrine the radical feminist movement that stands against the pro-life movement, the pro-family movement and the pro-traditional marriage movement," said Bachmann before the vote. "As it's currently written, the legislation lacks the necessary safeguards to ensure the proposed museum will not become an ideological shrine to abortion that will eventually receive federal funding and a prominent spot on the National Mall."
The bipartisan bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney, R-N.Y. and Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., would only establish a commission to study the possible creation of a privately funded women's history museum in Washington D.C. The bill does not discuss the museum's content or authorize any federal funding.
The oddest part is that Bachmann is set to be featured in one of the exhibits, should Congress decide to proceed. She would be featured in an exhibit on motherhood for her work as a foster mom.
Bachmann said that while she is flattered, it is other people who would be seen in the museum that raises her concern. She fears that other women such as Margaret Sanger, who established the country's first birth control clinic, would also be a part of the museum.
The bill's supporters believe that with national museums dedicated to science, natural history, American history, and other genres, there should be one for the women who shaped history.
"Women's contributions to our country are largely missing from our national museums, memorials, statues and textbooks," Maloney told fellow members Congress. "The bill before us today seeks to finally change that."
The House passed the measure with a 383 to 33 vote Wednesday afternoon. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., introduced a companion bill on the Senate side.
