Texas Republicans Urge DOJ to Investigate Smithsonian as Space Shuttle Fight Escalates

Lawmakers contend the institution may have broken lobbying rules.

Zach Vasile

Friday, October 24, 2025 at 01:30 PM ET

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Travis Tingle

The space shuttle Discovery flew 39 missions and was responsible for launching the Hubble Space Telescope in 1990. [Courtesy: National Air and Space Museum]

Key Takeaways:

Texas lawmakers have accused the Smithsonian Institution of "illegal lobbying" to prevent the planned relocation of the space shuttle Discovery from Virginia to Houston, requesting a Department of Justice investigation into alleged violations of federal lobbying laws.
The Smithsonian denies engaging in illegal lobbying but actively opposes the transfer, asserting its full ownership of Discovery and warning of significant costs (estimated $50-55 million for transport, plus $325 million for a new facility) and potential damage to the spacecraft.
Despite the Smithsonian's objections, a federal act includes an $85 million provision for Discovery's move to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, a measure championed by Texas lawmakers who argue for Houston's central role in U.S. space history.

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Three U.S. lawmakers from Texas are accusing the Smithsonian Institution of engaging in “illegal lobbying” to block the retired space shuttle Discovery’s planned relocation to Houston.

In a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday, Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and Representative Randy Weber said the Smithsonian should be investigated for allegedly lobbying U.S. House and Senate committee staff, which they said would be a violation of federal lobbying laws. The lawmakers also accused the organization of circulating inaccurate estimates of the relocation’s total cost and coordinating with members of the media to build public opposition to the transfer.