Make It Law: Without Congressional Approval, There Can Be No 25-Story Trump Arch

As your constituent, I urge you to introduce, cosponsor, and pass a new federal law governing the proposed 25-story Trump Arch at Memorial Circle. Congress should act before construction begins, prohibiting the project unless Congress specifically authorizes it and backs that prohibition with effective enforcement. CONGRESS SHOULD CLARIFY ITS AUTHORITY OVER THE PROPOSED ARCH The administration argues that legislation enacted in 1925 for the Arlington Memorial Bridge project provides authority for today’s very different 250-foot arch. That claim is disputed and is now being litigated. Whatever the 1925 law originally authorized, Congress should not leave a project of this scale to an uncertain interpretation of legislation enacted more than a century ago. Congress does not need to wait for the courts to decide what the old law means. It can enact a new law stating what the law will be. CONGRESS SHOULD MAKE ITS APPROVAL A LEGAL REQUIREMENT The rule should be simple: Without a new Act of Congress, there can be no Trump Arch. Congress should expressly provide that the arch cannot be built unless it passes a new law specifically authorizing the project. Congress should also make clear that the 1925 law and other earlier enactments do not authorize this project. Otherwise, future administrations could invoke old laws to justify major new projects that Congress never considered or approved. VIOLATIONS OF THE NEW LAW MUST HAVE CONSEQUENCES The law should prohibit federal agencies, officials, contractors, and others from advancing the project with federal or private funds, contracts, permits, or transfers - and prevent the project from escaping the law merely by being renamed or redesignated. Civil penalties should apply to knowing violations. Criminal penalties should be reserved for persons who knowingly and willfully violate the law after enactment. Workers who do not knowingly violate the law should not be punished. I therefore urge you to: (1) ENACT A NEW FEDERAL LAW. Prohibit construction, excavation, site preparation, and contracting for the Trump Arch unless Congress specifically authorizes the project in new legislation. (2) REMOVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE 1925 LAW. State expressly that the 1925 legislation and other prior laws do not authorize this arch. (3) CUT OFF FUNDING AND ASSISTANCE. Bar federal funds, personnel, property, permits, contracts, and government-administered private donations from advancing the project. (4) CREATE CIVIL ENFORCEMENT. Authorize courts to stop violations and impose substantial civil penalties for knowing violations. (5) ESTABLISH CRIMINAL PENALTIES. Impose appropriate penalties on persons who knowingly and willfully authorize, direct, finance, contract for, or carry out prohibited construction after enactment. (6) PREVENT EVASION. Prohibit attempts to evade the law through private funding, project transfers, separate projects, renaming, or redesignation of the arch. Thank you.