Blumenthal Introduces No Palaces Act to Put Guardrails on Future White House Construction & Demolition

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today introduced new legislation that would put additional guardrails on the White House’s construction and demolition process. TheNo Palaces Actrequires the Executive Office of the President to obtain National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approval for demolition activities and gives Congress a chance to disapprove of any modifications to the White House. Blumenthal is introducing theNo Palaces Actahead of today’s scheduled NCPC meeting, where President Trump’s White House ballroom project may be discussed.
“President Trump took a wrecking ball to the White House—demolishing the iconic East Wing to make way for his monstrous, multi-million-dollar ballroom,”said Blumenthal.“MyNo Palaces Actprevents future presidents from recklessly destroying historic sites like the East Wing without approval from the independent National Capital Planning Commission or consideration from Congress. The guardrails in this measure will ensure future presidents cannot remake the People’s House into their personal palace.”
Specifically, theNo Palaces Act:
As Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Blumenthal has demanded answers from theprivate donors to President Trump’s multi-million White House ballroom project,the fundraiser and lobbyists who have coordinated funds for the ballroom,andthe architect, construction firm, and engineering firm working on the project.
The full text of theNo Palaces Actisavailable here.
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