Smithsonian Fiscal Year 2020 Federal Budget Request Totals $978 Million

The Smithsonian’s fiscal year 2020 budget request to Congress is $978.3 million, a decrease from the appropriation in the 2019 Consolidated Appropriation Act’s total of $1 billion. Last year, Congress allocated $303.5 million for the early stages of the revitalization of the National Air and Space Museum and other facilities projects; this year the amount request is $219 million, which accounts for the decrease.

Facilities Capital

The Facilities Capital request for FY 2020 is $219 million, including $118.4 million for the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall and its Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia; $27.5 million for the National Zoo’s ongoing infrastructure work; $9.7 million for the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; and $17 million in planning and design funds for the future renovation of the Smithsonian Institution Building (the Castle).

Salaries and Expenses

The S&E account request for FY 2020 is $759.3 million, an increase from $740 million allocated in FY 2019. The request covers $4 million for fixed-cost increases (rents, utilities and communications), increased funds for security ($5 million), and overall maintenance of museums and the National Zoo ($5 million).

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SI-95-2019