1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

As your constituent, I am writing to urge Congress—especially members concluding their service in this lame-duck session—to assert Article I authority and protect federal landmarks from unilateral executive overreach. The Executive Branch has repeatedly bypassed legislative authorization to alter historic public grounds: - White House East Wing Demolition: The original East Wing was demolished for an 89,000-square-foot ballroom, with costs climbing to $400 million. Despite court rulings affirming that Congress controls White House construction, no formal authorization or appropriations vote was ever held. - East Potomac Park Tree Removals: The Park Service felled over 400 trees at East Potomac Golf Links—a park chartered by Congress in 1897 "for the recreation and the pleasure of the people." A federal judge appointed a special investigator to examine whether officials misled the court to clear-cut the course. - Unapproved Memorial Circle Arch: Plans for a 250-foot triumphal arch at Memorial Circle adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery advance without statutory authorization under the Commemorative Works Act. - Sole-Source Contracts: Over $5 million in no-bid contracts was awarded for gilding Memorial Bridge statues without competitive bidding. Article I vests Congress with exclusive power over federal property and the purse. Retiring and continuing members alike have an obligation to safeguard these sites before the December 11 funding deadline. I urge you to take immediate legislative action: 1. Codify Authorization Requirements: Mandate explicit congressional approval for any demolition, expansion, or major construction on White House grounds, East Potomac Park, or Memorial Circle. 2. Attach Appropriations Restrictions: Bar federal funds, agency transfers, or matching dollars in year-end spending bills from being used for the ballroom expansion or Memorial Circle arch. 3. Mandate Audits: Direct OMB and Interior to deliver a full accounting within 30 days of all expenditures and sole-source contracts tied to these projects. 4. Affirm Landmark Protections: Pass a bipartisan resolution confirming that executive officials cannot alter historic public lands without legislative approval. These monuments belong to the American people. Congress must protect them.