Trump's legislative proposal, dubbed 'Big Beautiful Bill,' mandates a shift of the Discovery Shuttle from the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. to Houston.
In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump's omnibus tax-and-spending package, officially titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), has mandated the transfer of the space shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The provision, which allocates $85 million for the move and construction of new facilities in Houston, was initially part of the "Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act" introduced by Texas senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. The bill, however, has eliminated dedicated funding for the long-planned National Museum of the American Latino, reducing its staff from about 35 to six.
The space vehicle targeted is widely understood to be the Discovery space shuttle, which has been on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center since 2012. Notably, the text of the provision refers only to a "space vehicle" (not Discovery by name) to be selected by the NASA administrator.
The Smithsonian Institution, however, strongly opposes the relocation. Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery, initially faced dismissal by the administration but later stepped down. The Smithsonian argues that it owns Discovery and holds it in trust for the American public, having received full ownership from NASA in 2012. They contend that Congress lacks the authority to force the transfer and highlight the significant logistical, legal, and financial challenges involved, with estimates of relocation costs ranging from $300 million to $400 million, far exceeding the allotted budget.
The issue remains contentious, with ongoing resistance from the Smithsonian and unclear progress on actual transfer plans. Senator Dick Durbin described the potential transfer of Discovery as a "heist" by Texas. Additionally, the bill does not provide funding for the construction of a new exhibition facility in Houston for the Discovery space shuttle.
The Smithsonian has been under fire from the Trump administration, accused of promoting "improper ideology." The administration even issued an executive order that singled out shows at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Meanwhile, the Anacostia Community Museum is slated to be merged into the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The transfer of the space shuttle Discovery is a complex issue, raising questions about the role of Congress, the Smithsonian, and NASA in managing national cultural assets. As the debate continues, the future of Discovery remains uncertain.
[1] Smithsonian opposes transfer of Discovery space shuttle [2] Trump signs $1.5 trillion spending bill into law [3] The Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act [4] The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1)
[1] The Smithsonian Institution argues that it owns the Discovery space shuttle and holds it in trust for the American public, contending that Congress lacks the authority to force the transfer.
[2] President Donald Trump has signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) into law, which includes a provision mandating the transfer of the Discovery space shuttle from the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
[3] The Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act, initially introduced by Texas senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, was part of this current tax-and-spending package, allocating $85 million for the move and construction of new facilities in Houston.
[4] The opposition from the Smithsonian and the controversy surrounding the transfer of the Discovery space shuttle has raised questions about the role of Congress, the Smithsonian, and NASA in managing national cultural assets, as the debate continues, the future of Discovery remains uncertain.
[5] General news sources have reported that the Anacostia Community Museum is slated to be merged into the National Museum of African American History and Culture, while shows at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture have come under fire from the Trump administration, accused of promoting "improper ideology."
