Utah senator blocks approval of US museums honouring Latinos and women

Mike Lee blocked approval of the museums (Susan Walsh/AP)

A lone senator from Utah has single-handedly blocked the approval of two new national museums to honour American Latinos and women, arguing the “last thing we need is to further divide an already divided nation”.

Republican Senator Mike Lee objected to the creation of the two proposed Smithsonian museums, stalling two projects that have been in the making for decades and enjoy broad bipartisan support.