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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Edited By:

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:

Three Texas lawmakers accuse the Smithsonian Institution of "illegal lobbying" to prevent the Space Shuttle Discovery's planned relocation from Virginia to Houston, citing violations of federal anti-lobbying laws.
The Smithsonian denies these allegations, asserting its full ownership of Discovery and strongly opposing its transfer as an "unprecedented" removal from its collection.
Despite federal funding allocated for the shuttle's move to Houston, the relocation faces opposition due to concerns over potential damage, historical value compromise, and significant logistical and new facility costs.

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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.