Senate Puts The Chill On Smithsonian

Angered by reports of problems at the Smithsonian, the US Senate votes to freeze the institutions budget. “The budget bill amendment sponsored by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) would keep the freeze in effect until the Smithsonian reforms how business is done in the secretary’s office. The measure, which passed on a voice vote, specifically caps salaries for any executive at the Smithsonian at $400,000, the current pay for the U.S. president. Small’s compensation this year is $915,698.”