What is it about Utah?

First some background: Earlier this year, the House for the first time passed legislation that would create a Smithsonian museum devoted to Latino Americans. The Senate Rules Committee also approved the legislation, which is co-sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), unanimously. The House also voted overwhelmingly in February to pass legislation to create a women’s history museum. But Lee's move drastically reduces the likelihood the bills will pass Congress this session. . .

Mike Lee blocks legislation to create Smithsonian museums for Latinos and women

POLITICO |

Sen. Mike Lee blocked bipartisan legislation Thursday that would establish national museums dedicated to the histories of Latino Americans and American women, arguing the museums would create further division.

In an exchange with Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who sought to pass the National Museum of the American Latino Act by voice vote, Lee said that the history of Latino Americans and women should be a part of the National Museum of American History, rather than in a separate museum.

“The last thing we need is to further divide an already divided nation within an array of separate but equal museums of hyphenated identity groups,” Lee said. “At this moment, in the history of our diverse nation, we need our federal government and the Smithsonian Institution itself to pull us closer together and not further apart.”

Menendez shot back at Lee, saying that he was standing “in the way of the hopes and dreams and aspirations of seeing Americans of Latino descent having their dreams fulfilled and recognized.”

“I don’t know if these arguments were made against the Native Americans. I don’t know if these arguments were made against African Americans, but I don’t see them as being separate and apart,” Menendez said. “I see them as part of the collective history mosaic that is coming together under the Smithsonian.”

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) attempted to pass the Smithsonian Women’s History Museum Act in the Senate by voice vote. In her floor remarks, Collins highlighted the popularity of the Smithsonian’s African American and Native American history museums and noted that a bipartisan commission recommended the creation of a museum “showcasing the historic experiences and the impact of women” in the United States.

But Lee again blocked the measure. . .

The Utah Republican said that while “all racial, ethnic, religious groups in America are worthy of celebration, even to the extent of having their own museums,” he argued that in “many instances” those museums do not take federal dollars.

“There is a brand that comes along with the Smithsonian Institution and a lot of money that’s taken from the American people in the form of tax revenue,” Lee said. “And so as a result of that, the Smithsonian Institution has a unique role.”

Collins described Lee’s actions as a “sad moment.”

“I had hoped that we could proceed with both of these bills and pass them before the end of this year,” Collins said. “Surely in a year where we’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, this is the time. ... I regret that that will not occur this evening, but we will not give up the fight.”

Senator Mike Lee