1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

As your constituent, I urge you to introduce, cosponsor, and pass a Kennedy Center Preservation Act making clear that no President, board, agency, contractor, or other person may demolish or substantially destroy the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts unless Congress first approves it by law. The Kennedy Center is not simply another federal building. Congress established it as the National Center for the Performing Arts and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. A decision to destroy it should require Congress to approve that destruction by law. WHY CONGRESS SHOULD ACT NOW Recent events have exposed uncertainty about whether existing law adequately protects the Center from demolition. President Trump has publicly raised the possibility that the Kennedy Center could be “ripped down,” and current litigation shows the danger of demolition before the legal issues are resolved. Congress should not wait for a demolition plan and then depend on litigation over existing law. It should establish a permanent rule: the Kennedy Center cannot be demolished or substantially destroyed without a new Act of Congress expressly authorizing it. Renovation is not demolition. Federal money for repair, modernization, safety, accessibility, or other improvements should not be treated as permission to destroy the Center. PROTECT THE BUILDING BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE Executive authority, a Kennedy Center board vote, an administrative decision, a construction contract, or renovation funding should not authorize demolition. Courts must be able to act before demolition occurs. The law should automatically pause threatened demolition when a substantial legal challenge is filed, so the building cannot be destroyed while a court decides whether Congress authorized it. Punishment after demolition cannot restore a national memorial. The law should apply to federal officials, Kennedy Center officials, contractors, subcontractors, and agents. Knowing and willful violations should carry a fine, up to five years in prison, or both, subject to constitutional immunity. I urge you to: (1) PASS A KENNEDY CENTER PRESERVATION ACT. Protect the Center from unauthorized demolition. (2) REQUIRE A NEW ACT OF CONGRESS BEFORE DEMOLITION. Do not permit executive action, a board decision, or renovation funding to substitute for express congressional approval. (3) BAR FEDERAL FUNDS FROM SUPPORTING UNAUTHORIZED DEMOLITION. Prevent federal money from planning, preparing for, or carrying it out. (4) GUARANTEE IMMEDIATE COURT PROTECTION AND AN AUTOMATIC STAY. Keep the Center standing while a court decides whether demolition is lawful. (5) ESTABLISH PENALTIES FOR KNOWING AND WILLFUL VIOLATIONS. Provide criminal penalties, subject to constitutional limits. Thank you.