Brad Ellsworth: “I had planned to introduce an amendment and I chose not to do that, and I will explain why. But my amendment would have…”

“I had planned to introduce an amendment and I chose not to do that, and I will explain why. But my amendment would have sought to reduce by $2.6 million the salaries and expense account of the Smithsonian Institute, an account in which there is a history of well-documented, wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars. Though I called for a freeze in the funding for the Smithsonian's administrative account, this amendment should not be mistaken for opposition to this important institution. For more than 150 years, the Smithsonian has made significant contributions to the cultural enrichment of the United States. Through its 18 museums, 144 affiliate museums, the National Zoo, and nine research centers around the world, the Smithsonian has contributed to the education of millions of people. In fact, officials estimate that 24 million people visited the Smithsonian in 2006 and almost 21 million visited affiliate museums across the world. There is no doubt that the Smithsonian reaches across America and the world to offer a rich experience for both children and adults alike.”