At the same time that Chief Justice Roberts voted to halt the construction of the East Ballroom because Congress did not authorize it, the Chief Justice's other institution voted to bypass Congress to build a new museum. I'm not sure anyone else saw the connection between these two items, but that's why you read this blog.
For decades, there has been a movement to build new Smithsonian museums on the National Mall dedicated to African Americans, Latino Americans, and Women. The African American museum was built in 2016, but it somehow forgot to mention any of Clarence Thomas's accomplishments. (If only one of Thomas's colleagues was in charge!) Alas, the Museum for Latino Americans and Women did not make much progress.
In December 2020, Congress authorized two new Smithsonian museums for Latino Americans and Women. Congress suggested two new sites on the Mall near the Washington Monument, or the Arts and Industries Building, which is an old structure adjacent to the Smithsonian Castle. In 2022, the Smithsonian Board of Regents selected the two sites on the mall near the Washington Monument for new construction. Both of those sites would have required congressional approval.
