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Utah Senator Blocks National Museums for Latinos, Women

Associated Press

   A lone senator from Utah has singlehandedly blocked the bipartisan
   approval of two new national museums to honor American Latinos and
   women, arguing that "last thing we need is to further divide an already
   divided nation."

   Republican Sen. Mike Lee objected Thursday to the creation of the two
   proposed Smithsonian museums, stalling two projects that have been in
   the making for decades and enjoy broad bipartisan support. Senate
   approval would have sent the legislation approving the Latino museum to
   President Donald Trump for his signature. The Senate was attempting to
   pass the measures by voice vote, which requires every senator's
   consent.

   The dispute on the Senate floor came amid the impasse over a new
   coronavirus relief bill and highlighted the difficulty of achieving
   even widely supported goals in the polarized Congress. Lawmakers could
   still find a way to move forward on the creation of the museums,
   including by adding the bills to a must-pass spending package, but
   doing so could further complicate passage of that legislation.

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