Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) vs. Smithsonian Latino and Women's History Museums

[lpetrich]

User Clip: Mike Lee objects to new Smithsonian museums | C-SPAN.org
Then
Steven Dennis on Twitter: "Mike Lee objects to new Smithsonian museums for Latino history and Women's History, prompting a lengthy debate Video via @CSPAN: (link to it)" / Twitter
Then
Steven Dennis on Twitter: "Mike Lee on Senate floor blocks bill for a Smithsonian museum for Latinos ..." / Twitter

Mike Lee on Senate floor blocks bill for a Smithsonian museum for Latinos

Says Latinos, women, Mormons, etc. should be represented at the existing museum of American history

Says last thing they need is "separate but equal" museums

Menendez livid

The bill earlier passed the House of Representatives

Mike Lee says he could support additional wings or floors for the museum of American history but doesn't want a siloed, separate museum.

Cornyn and Menendez have been working on the bill together.

Susan Collins now rising to challenge Mike Lee, asking if he had some opposition to the museums for African Americans and Native Americans.

"It seems wrong that one senator" can block the bill, and asks for backing for legislation creating Women's History Museum.

Susan Collins says her first effort to create the museum was in 2003.

I think Susan Collins came close there to proposing a new "nearly unanimous consent" rule.

Susan Collins and Feinstein have teamed up on the women's museum. She notes 100 years ago women didn't have the right to vote.

"That's not that long ago."

Mike Lee just blocked the Women's History Museum bill on the Senate floor.

Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski visibly upset.

Earlier, Mike Lee angered Menendez when he appeared to justify having an African American museum and a Native American museum because they were systemically excluded; Emotional Menendez said Latinos were too.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "No movement on COVID in the Senate but good to know Utah Sen. Mike Lee is spending his time today giving speeches about why Latinos shouldn’t have a national history museum and oh, while we’re at it, why there shouldn’t be a women’s history museum either" / Twitter