“I understand what my colleagues are trying to do and why. I respect what they’re trying to do. I even share their interests in ensuring that these stories are told.” said the Senator ”But the last thing we need is to further divide an already divided nation with an array of segregated, separate-but-equal museums for hyphenated identity groups.” Lee’s opposition to so-called identity politics is echoed by many members of the Republican party, with the Senator adding that such ideology ‘weaponises diversity’. Latino Democrat Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez tweeted in response to the vote: ‘Good to know Utah Sen. Mike Lee is spending his time today giving speeches about why Latinos shouldn’t have a national history museum and oh, while we’re at it, why there shouldn’t be a women’s history museum either’.