Senator Lee blocks bill to bar Kennedy Center demolition

Sen. Mike Lee of Utah objected Monday night to unanimous consent, blocking fast-track action on the Protecting Presidential Memorials Act. Sponsored by Sens. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, the bill would bar demolition of any national memorial to a U.S. president without an act of Congress. After the objection, Merkley and Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine introduced the measure in both chambers Tuesday morning. Merkley said he asked for unanimous consent on the one-page bipartisan bill to defend the Kennedy Center and that a colleague objected; he called Trump’s threats straight out of the authoritarian playbook and said Republican allies blocked the bill, calling it shameful. Trump said the administration should have recognition because otherwise the center will close and end up ripped down, and on Truth Social wrote that the board strongly voted to save it, that he is the only one who can raise the money and construct, and that without his help it is destined to doom. Liz Huston said Democrats let the Kennedy Center rot, allowing water damage and crumbling infrastructure. The center was established by Congress in 1964 as a living memorial to John F. Kennedy. A federal judge required 30 days’ notice before any demolition. White House overhaul estimates are $250 million. Next steps for the introduced bill are unresolved.