Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil delivered his opening remarks at a full committee hearing titled, "Looking Ahead Series: Oversight of the Smithsonian Institution." The hearing aimed to discuss the operations and long-term goals of the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest educational complex.
In his opening statement, Chairman Steil highlighted the significance of the Smithsonian Institution, stating, "The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest educational complex, comprised of museums, educational resources, and research services." He emphasized that the institution's mission is to preserve heritage and history while sharing knowledge with the world.
Chairman Steil acknowledged the importance of the Smithsonian to millions of Americans who visit its museums each year, stating, "Each year, millions of Americans visit the Smithsonian museums, enjoying each of the spaces and educational opportunities the Smithsonian provides." He highlighted the vastness of the institution, with 21 museums and approximately 137 million objects in its collections.
Regarding funding, Chairman Steil noted that the Smithsonian received $1.14 billion from the federal government in the last fiscal year, which accounts for two-thirds of its total budget. He also mentioned the institution's significant workforce, with over 4,000 full-time employees.
The Chairman emphasized the Committee on House Administration's responsibility to conduct oversight of the Smithsonian Institution. He stated, "Today, the Committee on House Administration, which is charged with conducting oversight of the Smithsonian Institution, will discuss the Institution’s operations and its long-term goals." He highlighted that it has been three years since the Committee last held a wide-ranging oversight hearing on the Smithsonian.
Chairman Steil mentioned that the Smithsonian has frequently made headlines in the past three years, particularly on cultural topics such as "panda diplomacy" and museum repatriation policies. He stated, "The Committee will explore how the Smithsonian’s materials reflect Americans’ diversity of opinions" and emphasized the importance of ensuring that the institution's work is not politically partisan or biased.
The Chairman also addressed the two new museums authorized by Congress in 2020, namely the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum. He noted that while the final decision on the placement of these museums is pending, the Smithsonian's strategic plans, annual plans, and congressional budget requests lack a clear long-term strategy for these facilities. He expressed concern that without a clear long-term strategy, the museums may struggle to balance long-term visions with daily operations.
Chairman Steil concluded his opening remarks by expressing his commitment to ensuring that institutions like the Smithsonian are working in the best interest of the American people. He thanked the Secretary of the Smithsonian for being present at the hearing and looked forward to the discussions that would follow.
The hearing aimed to provide oversight on the day-to-day operations of the Smithsonian Institution while also addressing its long-term goals. The Committee on House Administration sought to ensure that the institution is acting as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.
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