The United States House of Representatives has passed the National Museum of the American Latino Act, a bill that paves the way for the creation of a new Smithsonian Institute-affiliated museum celebrating the histories and achievements of Latinos in the United States. 

The bill's text explains the "legacy of Latinos is deeply rooted in the very fabric of the history, democracy, freedom, and economic opportunity of the United States," and that despite this fact, "there exists no national museum within the Smithsonian Institution that is devoted to the documentation and explication of Latino life, art, history, and culture." 

The bill lays the groundwork for the creation of a new museum that "will be the keystone for people in the United States and other Smithsonian Institution visitors to learn about Latino contributions to life, art, history, and culture in the United States at its signature location on the National Mall," and "will serve as a gateway for visitors to view other Latino exhibitions, collections, and programming at other Smithsonian Institution facilities and museums throughout the United States and the territories of the United States."

Once passed by the United States Senate and signed into law, the bill will spur the selection of a site for the museum located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. by a new 19-member board of trustees for the new museum that will be led by Secretary of the Smithsonian, Lonnie G. Bunch III. 

The news follows moves to create a new Smithsonian-backed museum celebrating the contributions of women to American history earlier this year.