Overview
- In May, the Office of Management and Budget approved an apportionment that conditions the Smithsonian’s access to congressionally appropriated operating funds on spending that is “consistent with the FY 2026 President’s Budget.”
- The apportionment also told the Smithsonian to submit itemized requests listing each activity and its estimated federal obligation before funds are released.
- Budget and appropriations experts say the directive puts Smithsonian staff in a bind because following OMB’s instruction could violate the Antideficiency Act while ignoring it could trigger the Impoundment Control Act.
- Congress and its appropriations staff have pushed back because the president’s FY2026 request omits or cuts funding that lawmakers explicitly approved for items such as the National Museum of the American Latino, the Anacostia Community Museum, and higher Smithsonian salary and expense totals.
- The step fits a broader pattern of the administration using budget tools to shape cultural institutions, and it could prompt legal challenges, a congressional response to make appropriations instructions binding, or continued delays in the Smithsonian’s operating account apportionment.