All I can find on the Smithsonian is that they did press interviews, where various staff expressed opposition, and that they also sent some report to Congress.

All I can find on the Smithsonian is that they did press interviews, where various staff expressed opposition, and that they also sent some report to Congress. The press interviews are, quite naturally, public statements, and it could be argued they're unrelated to lobbying. As for the report, that's part of their normal duties - it would be a real catch-22 if such a report were considered lobbying. This feels like bluster from the politicians; they write dumb letters all the time for PR purposes. The space shuttle situation, though, is a disaster.