“We don't build monuments and memorials to leaders who are still alive in America. Many of my colleagues are supporting my bill to reinforce Congress' power of the purse, stop the arch, and limit Donald Trump from building more monuments to his own ego.
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Democrats Introduce Bill to Block Trump's 250-Foot Triumphal Arch in DC
May 27, 2026
In late May 2026, approximately two dozen House Democrats introduced the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act to block federal funding for President Trump's proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery. The bill, led by Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), argues the project violates the Commemorative Works Act, which requires congressional approval for new memorials on federal land in Washington, D.C. Trump officials have argued they do not need congressional authorization because Congress authorized a similar structure more than a century ago. A Trump-packed Commission of Fine Arts approved a modified design on May 21, 2026, despite more than 600 public comments submitted — 99.5% in opposition. The project has drawn criticism from historic preservation groups including the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the DC Preservation League. Republicans including Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) have defended the arch as a sign of the administration's commitment to classical architecture. With Republicans controlling Congress, the Democratic bill faces long odds of passage.
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“The arch relies on illegal funding manipulations without congressional authorization and violates the Commemorative Works Act.
“a hopeful sign of the Trump Administration's continued commitment to reviving classical architecture