Texas Lawmakers Demand DOJ Investigate Smithsonian
▼ Summary
– Texas senators are urging the DOJ to investigate the Smithsonian for allegedly violating the Anti-Lobbying Act regarding the relocation of the space shuttle Discovery.
– The lawmakers claim the Smithsonian improperly used funds to lobby Congress against moving the shuttle to Houston as part of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
– They allege the Smithsonian coordinated with press to generate public opposition and disseminated misinformation about the move’s cost and logistics.
– The letter also states the Smithsonian sought to block funding for the shuttle’s transport by amending pending fiscal year 2026 appropriations acts.
– This follows a prior request to Chief Justice John Roberts for an internal review of potential Anti-Lobbying Act violations by the Smithsonian.
A political dispute has erupted over the proposed relocation of NASA’s retired space shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian Institution to Houston, with Texas lawmakers formally requesting a Department of Justice investigation. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, alongside Rep. Randy Weber, have accused the Smithsonian of violating federal anti-lobbying statutes by allegedly using appropriated funds to campaign against moving the historic spacecraft to Texas.
In a detailed letter addressed to Attorney General Pamela Bondi and Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate, the legislators outlined their concerns. They contend the Smithsonian has actively worked to undermine both the passage and implementation of the shuttle’s relocation, which is included in what they refer to as President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. According to the lawmakers, the institution’s actions include lobbying Senate committee staff to voice opposition, coordinating with media outlets to stir up public dissent, and spreading what they characterize as inaccurate information about the move’s expenses and practical requirements.
The controversy extends to federal funding measures. The Texas delegation further alleges that the Smithsonian has pushed for amendments to pending appropriations bills for fiscal year 2026. These proposed changes would specifically block any funding allocated for transporting and reinstalling the space shuttle at a new venue. The lawmakers assert this constitutes an improper use of the institution’s position and resources.
Financial claims made by the Smithsonian have also come under fire. Cornyn, Cruz, and Weber challenge the institution’s cost projections, stating they dramatically exceed estimates from private logistics companies with relevant experience. They also dispute the Smithsonian’s assertion that the shuttle’s wings would require removal for transportation, noting that this claim finds no support among industry specialists.
This appeal to the Justice Department represents an escalation of earlier efforts. Senator Cornyn initially raised similar issues in a letter sent last August to Chief Justice John Roberts, who serves as the Smithsonian’s chancellor. That prior correspondence, also co-signed by Representative Weber, urged Justice Roberts to launch a full internal review for any potential breaches of the Anti-Lobbying Act and to take corrective actions should any violations be discovered.
(Source: Ars Technica)
