A surprising scandal has erupted in the United States around the Smithsonian Institution – the country’s largest museum network. Senator John Cornyn and Representative Randy Weber have called on its leadership to conduct an internal investigation. The reason: suspicions of using federal funds for lobbying.
According to the lawmakers, the Smithsonian may have tried to influence the Senate and the media in order to block legislation concerning the relocation of the space shuttle Discovery. The initiative would move the legendary shuttle from Washington to the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Cornyn and Weber argue that if the institution indeed spent public money to pressure lawmakers, it could amount to a violation of the Anti-Lobbying Act, which explicitly prohibits federal entities from using budgetary resources for political influence.
The Smithsonian rejects all accusations. Its representatives emphasize that communication with Congress took place strictly within existing rules, and that no “secret campaigns” were ever conducted.
The situation has already sparked considerable debate in the U.S. For many experts, it is a telling case: even cultural institutions can find themselves at the heart of political battles when major symbols and major money are at stake.
For Ukraine, this story is particularly relevant as it raises once again the fine line between “informing” and “lobbying.” Can a state institution legitimately defend its interests in parliament? And if so, where is the line beyond which influence becomes unlawful?
Source: houstonchronicle.com
