← 2026-09-3023brief

Mike Lee (Sen-R Utah) blocks quick Senate passage of bill barring Kennedy Center demolition without Congress

Lee blocked a bill that would require Congress to explicitly approve tearing down any presidential memorial it has named. Jeff Merkley (Sen-D Oregon) and Lisa Murkowski (Sen-R Alaska) asked to pass their Protecting Presidential Memorials Act by unanimous consent. Lee objected. In a separate move, a judge ordered 30 days' advance notice of any plans to tear one down.

Where the building stands:

  • Trump says the renovation will not go ahead unless a court reverses its ruling against putting his name on the building.
  • Murkowski: "what was not authorized is a demolition of the Kennedy Center."
  • Merkley: "First, he destroyed its programming, and now, he wants to destroy the building itself."