Mike Lee blocks effort to fast-track bill banning demolition of presidential memorials

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Sen. Mike Lee blocked a fast-track bill banning presidential memorial demolitions.
The bill, led by Sens. Jeff Merkley and Lisa Murkowski, targeted a potential Kennedy Center demolition.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Sen. Mike Lee objected to fast-tracking a bipartisan proposal to ban the demolition of presidential memorials unless explicitly approved by Congress, which would include the dismantling of the Kennedy Center.

In late-night Senate proceedings on Monday night, Lee objected to an effort by Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley to unanimously approve a bill that would ban the demolition of any memorial without a vote by Congress. The bipartisan bill from Merkley comes as the Trump administration has publicly suggested the Kennedy Center could be demolished if the building does not add President Donald Trump's name to the exterior.

"We are in a chapter where President Trump wants to demolish this memorial," Merkley said in a floor speech on Monday night. "He wants to demolish this enormously incredible building, which hosts operas and plays and ballets, concerts, Kennedy Center's honor program that's watched by millions of Americans every year, celebrating our nation's most revered artists."

Merkley sought to approve the bill through unanimous consent, a fast-track method that would immediately advance a piece of legislation without a recorded vote so long as no senator objects. However, Lee shot down the effort while on the Senate floor.

Lee did not offer remarks explaining his stance, and the Utah senator objected to a proposal by Merkley to debate the legislation and schedule a future recorded vote. A spokesperson for Lee did not respond to a request for comment by the Deseret News.

Sen. Mike Lee attends a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with then-acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 15. Lee shot down a proposal to fast-track a bill banning presidential memorial demolitions late Monday. (Photo: Allison Robbert, Associated Press)

Merkley introduced the bill in conjunction with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, as the two top lawmakers on the appropriations subcommittee that oversees funding for the Kennedy Center as well as the Interior Department and the National Park Service.

The proposal comes amid concerns that Trump will demolish the Kennedy Center, particularly after a court filing from the Justice Department in August arguing that without the president's funding and desired renovations, the center would be "required to be taken down."

Those concerns were further stoked after a photo began circulating online of Trump inside Air Force One looking at a poster that appeared to read "Kennedy Center DEMOLIS(HED)." Merkley presented that photo on the Senate floor during his speech on Monday.

A judge has since ruled that center officials must provide 30-day notice of any demolition plans.

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