WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) called out the Smithsonian Institution Museums for playing political games and pandering to the Left rather than objectively displaying and celebrating great Americans’ contributions that make up the history of the United States. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“The 21 museums that make up the Smithsonian Institution have been a treasure for a long time, but unfortunately in recent years, they have strayed from their true mission.”

“The Smithsonian has lost its way.”

“Instead of celebrating the contributions of remarkable Americans or educating our children about the animals that once roamed the planet, the Smithsonian Institution museums are telling children they should feel guilty for contributing to climate change and introducing them to topics which are clearly not age appropriate.”

“But sometimes it’s not what the Smithsonian includes in their exhibits – which is troubling – it’s what they choose to exclude.”

“Who can forget the snub to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture?”

“I introduced a resolution at the time asking them to recognize the historical importance of Justice Thomas and his service to the court.”

“After a groundswell of opposition in the months that followed, the museum finally did include him in an exhibit, but the previous exhibit featuring Anita Hill and not the Justice is a stain on the Smithsonian that I’ll never forget.”

“Some have argued that the Smithsonian is subject to oversight by Congress and the Executive Branch. Others have said no, it’s purely a private, independent entity.”

“It’s pretty hard to make the case that an institution that gets the majority of its funding from Congress and is governed by a board of government officials is anything but a government entity.”

“The Smithsonian Institution itself has argued time and time again in court that they are in fact a government entity.”

 “In a case called Raven v. Sajet, a federal court agreed, ruling that the ‘Smithsonian is a government institution through and through.’’ 

“As we prepare for the celebration of America’s 250th birthday, I would encourage, strongly encourage, the Smithsonian Institution to reconsider its purpose and to return to the principles and ideals laid out in the founding documents they so proudly display for the benefit of all Americans.”