WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats are introducing a bill to block construction of Trump’s proposed “ triumphal arch ” near the Lincoln Memorial. The bill comes after a federal commission approved the design for the project, which Trump wants to serve as an entrance to the nation’s capital.
Reps. Don Beyer of Virginia and Dina Titus of Nevada called the arch a “vanity project,” saying it relies on illegal funding manipulations without congressional authorization and violates the Commemorative Works Act.
D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Virginia Representatives Suhas Subramanyam and Bobby Scott are set to be additional co-sponsors. The bill is set to be introduced during Friday’s pro forma session.
Beyer’s district includes Arlington National Cemetery, adjacent to the arch site. He called the cemetery sacred ground, adding: “It is unthinkable that we would desecrate this hallowed space to build a monument to Donald Trump’s ego.”
The 250-foot arch is one of several projects the Republican president is pursuing alongside a White House ballroom to leave his imprint on Washington.
Beyer said his parents, grandparents, and sister are buried in the cemetery.
7News contributed to this article.
