No Funds for Trump’s Illegal Arch Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
- Last action
- Sep 30, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to prevent unauthorized federal spending on structures or monuments at a specific D.C. park by requiring explicit legal authorization for any such projects.
What it actually does
This bill prohibits the use of any Federal funds for the planning, design, engineering, permitting, or construction of any structure or monument at Memorial Circle, a specific area within Lady Bird Johnson Park in the District of Columbia. This prohibition applies unless such a structure or monument is expressly authorized by Section 8106 of Title 40, United States Code, or the Commemorative Works Act.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill reinforces existing legal frameworks for federal construction and commemorative works, ensuring that any projects at this significant public space undergo proper review and authorization. They contend it prevents potential misuse of funds or circumvention of established laws, upholding the integrity of federal land use and memorialization processes.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that this bill is largely redundant, as federal agencies are already bound by existing laws governing construction and commemorative works. They may view it as a politically motivated pre-emptive measure targeting a specific potential project rather than addressing a genuine legislative gap, potentially stifling future legitimate development efforts.
The bill is exceptionally short and written in clear, direct language, making it very accessible for readers to understand its provisions quickly and thoroughly.
Section 2(b)
Prohibition on Federal Funds for Structures at Memorial Circle
This provision explicitly forbids the use of any federal money for planning, designing, engineering, permitting, or constructing any structure or monument at Memorial Circle. Memorial Circle is defined as a specific management unit within Lady Bird Johnson Park in Washington D.C., formerly known as Columbia Island. The prohibition is lifted only if the structure or monument is expressly authorized in accordance with Section 8106 of Title 40, United States Code, or the Commemorative Works Act (Chapter 89 of Title 40).
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision reinforces existing legal frameworks for federal construction and commemorative works, ensuring that any projects at this significant public space undergo proper review and authorization. This prevents ad-hoc or politically motivated developments and upholds the integrity of federal land use and memorialization processes.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that this provision is redundant, as federal agencies are already bound by existing laws, and that it serves primarily as a political statement rather than addressing a genuine legislative gap. They might also argue it could be seen as an overreach, pre-emptively blocking potential future projects that might otherwise be deemed appropriate through existing channels.
Tradeoffs
The bill balances the desire to prevent potentially controversial or unauthorized construction with the reliance on existing legal processes already in place for such projects. It highlights a tension between legislative pre-emption and the established administrative and legal review mechanisms for federal land use and commemorative works.