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. The No Palaces Act requires 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 the No Palaces Act ahead 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. “My No Palaces Act prevents 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, the No Palaces Act:

• Explicitly includes “demolition activities” in the list of actions that would trigger National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) review;
• Requires the Executive Office of the President, and any agency acting on its behalf, to complete NCPC review and obtain NCPC approval before beginning any demolition/improvements;
• Creates a new regime through which Congress could pass a joint resolution of disapproval on NCPC-approved improvement to the White House, modeled on the Congressional Review Act;
• Requires congressional authorization for the use of private funds for improvements to the White House;
• Requires that the executive branch comply with general appropriations requirements in financing improvements to the White House; and
• Establishes a right of action for several well-positioned individuals and institutions, including any Member of Congress, to bring a civil action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking injunctive relief enforcing this law, with expedited procedures for review.

As Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Blumenthal has demanded answers from the private donors to President Trump’s multi-million White House ballroom project, the fundraiser and lobbyists who have coordinated funds for the ballroom, and the architect, construction firm, and engineering firm working on the project.

The full text of the No Palaces Act is available here.

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