Senate Democrats put Trump's D.C. makeover on notice
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Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) plans to force a Senate vote next week on two new resolutions aimed at preventing President Trump from demolishing the Kennedy Center or building his proposed triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery.
Why it matters: Senate Democrats are putting Republicans on notice that they're prepared to use every available legislative means, including the appropriations process later this year, to stymie Trump's efforts to erect or erase memorials in the D.C. area.
Driving the news: Merkley will introduce his two bills when the Senate returns next week and then seek unanimous consent to consider them at the first opportunity.
- That's likely to fail, but Democrats will have the procedural upper hand at the end of the year in the appropriations process, making individual votes more likely.
- Merkley has an important ally in Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who is cosponsoring Merkley's measure designed to protect the Kennedy Center. Both are on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies.
Flashback: This spring, Republicans blinked when they faced pressure from Democrats over funding for Trump's new East Wing ballroom.
- At the White House's request, Senate Republicans initially proposed $1 billion for the Secret Service for "above-ground and below-ground security features," but ultimately removed the language when it became clear they didn't have the votes.
The other side: Trump has said his arch will become a dual-use facility housing snipers, drones and ammunition.
- When he closed the Kennedy Center for renovations, he called it "tired, broken and dilapidated" and in need of an upgrade.
Zoom in: Merkley's Kennedy Center measure is written broadly to prohibit the demolition of any presidential memorial designated by Congress, extending its protections to the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials.
- "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 measure reads.
- It defines "demolish" as "the intentional razing, destroying, or wrecking of an entire building or structure or a substantial portion of a building or structure."
- Merkley's measure targeting Trump's planned arch is more specific. It would prohibit the use of federal funds "for the planning and construction of any structure or monument at Memorial Circle at Columbia Island/Lady Bird Johnson Park."
Zoom out: Democrats and conservative groups have so far largely relied on the courts to thwart Trump's plans for the Kennedy Center.
- Last week, a federal judge ordered Trump officials to provide 30 days' written notice before making changes to the Kennedy Center, "including but not limited to any demolition" of the main building.
- Trump's plans for the 250-foot arch are also being litigated. A veterans-led coalition is seeking to block construction, arguing that the project requires congressional authorization.
