Malliotakis leaves House caucus after failed museum vote

Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis is leaving the Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus after her attempt to advance construction of a Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act failed to receive Democratic support.

Malliotakis, a Republican, served as vice chair of the group, which is dedicated to cross-party legislative solutions.

She announced her departure from the group just 24 hours after her attempt to advance the construction of the museum died on the U.S. House floor.

“I’ve been a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus for five years. And it’s clear that it’s become a one-way street,” Malliotakis told Spectrum News.

While initial legislation to advance the construction of the museum had received substantial bipartisan support, not a single Democrat crossed the aisle to support the bill in its final form. Additionally, six Republicans voted against the measure, with sources telling Spectrum News they questioned the museum’s necessity and expressed concern that it would divide Americans.

Republican Reps. Andy Harris, Warren Davidson, Josh Brecheen, Tim Burchett, Keith Self and Michael Cloud each voted against the bill.

Democrats say Republicans added “poison pills” to the bill, including a requirement that only biological women be represented in the museum.

“I’m saddened and disappointed the Republican majority has needlessly politicized what has for years been a bipartisan priority,” Rochester Rep. Joe Morelle said.

Malliotakis told her colleagues on the House floor: “I hate to alert my friends on the other side of the aisle, but a museum dedicated to women’s history should have women in it.”

While Problem Solvers Caucus Democratic chair Tom Suozzi, who represents Queens and Long Island, stood by his decision to vote down the legislation, he did not reply to Spectrum News’ questions about Malliotakis’ subsequent departure.

Malliotakis’ exit from the group comes at a time when Americans are increasingly complaining about partisan dysfunction.

A 2025 Pew Research poll found “eight-in-ten U.S. adults say that when it comes to important issues facing the country, Republican and Democratic voters not only disagree on plans and policies, but also cannot agree on basic facts.”

Additionally, a 2025 Gallup poll found 69% of American adults say Republicans’ and 60% say Democrats’ “inflammatory criticism of opponents has gone too far.”

GovTrack, a nonpartisan website that analyzes political activity, scores both Malliotakis and Suozzi as centrists, based on their legislative activity.

“I’m certainly going to continue to work in a bipartisan manner,” Malliotakis told Spectrum News.