Bipartisan members of Congress push to block demolition of Kennedy Center following administration threats
Facing administration threats to tear down the historic institution, lawmakers rally across party lines to introduce emergency legislation preserving federal presidential memorials
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have launched a legislative counter-offensive to shield the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts from potential destruction, introducing a bipartisan measure dubbed the Protecting Presidential Memorials Act.
Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska authored the brief, 15-line bill, along with Democratic Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine.
"A memorial to honor a president of the United States designated by an act of Congress may not be demolished unless authorized by an act of Congress," the bill states.
Led by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the fast-tracked bill was brought to the Senate floor to prevent the executive branch from tearing down federally designated presidential memorials without explicit congressional authorization.
The push follows mounting threats from the administration regarding the landmark facility, stoking high-stakes friction over historic preservation and executive authority.
Despite bipartisan backing from key appropriators, the initial attempt to pass the legislation by unanimous consent hit a roadblock when Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) blocked the move.
If passed by Congress and signed into law — by Trump — the measure would block him from fully or partially destroying the building that opened in 1971 to honor Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. He was an advocate for the arts during his shortened presidency.
Earlier this year, the Kennedy Center board, which is controlled by Trump appointees, approved renaming it the "Trump-Kennedy Center."
His name was added to the facade before a court put a hold on the renaming.
Democratic Representative said in an interview that while Congress clearly has say over how money is spent on the Kennedy Center, he hoped Trump's advisers would rein him in."I'm not interested in escalating the conflict," mentioned one of democrats when asked about possible legislation, before the bipartisan bill was introduced.
Lee dismissed the effort, arguing it bypassed standard committee review. Meanwhile, companion efforts are being spearheaded in the House by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) as legal challenges and ongoing institutional disputes continue to unfold around the property.
