House Republicans Seek 11% Smithsonian Cut as 'Woke' History Fight Intensifies
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 7
House Republicans Seek 11% Smithsonian Cut as 'Woke' History Fight Intensifies
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 7
Summary
$961 million in proposed FY2027 funding would cut the Smithsonian about 11% from current levels, putting federal support at the center of a Republican push to reshape how the institution presents U.S. history.
Andrew Clyde and Ben Cline, both House Appropriations Committee members, said Congress should tie money to requirements they say would force the Smithsonian to present a more objective and exceptionalist account of the nation.
The pressure follows July hearings in which Republicans accused the National Museum of American History of politicizing race, class, gender and sexuality, while Democrats said the effort amounts to whitewashing difficult chapters and minority contributions.
Donald Trump added to that campaign late last month with an executive order directing Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to use existing tools to restore trust in the Smithsonian, including corrective signage on federal property.
The fight now moves into broader government-funding talks before the Oct. 1 start of fiscal 2027, where House conservatives could press for stricter guardrails or deeper cuts.