The Smithsonian Institution is now behind schedule in securing sites for its upcoming National Museum of the American Latino and American Women’s History Museum.

While the Smithsonian did identify two preferred sites on the National Mall earlier this year, chief spokesperson Linda St. Thomas says that the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents cannot finalize its decision until Congress passes legislation authorizing construction on those sites. That responsibility now lies with a new Congress next year.

Both of the chosen sites are undeveloped land administered by the National Park Service.

The institute announced its preferred sites in October after reviewing more than 25 sites with the help of architectural firm Ayers Saint Gross: the “South Monument” site —  undeveloped land across the National Mall from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture on Jefferson Drive SW  — and the “Tidal Basin” site — undeveloped land near the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Congress authorized the creation of the two museums in December 2020, and set a deadline for the end of this year to  designate the two sites.