A Republican contingent is singing the praises of first lady Melania Trump by proposing naming the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Opera House after her.
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) is sponsoring the measure as a way to honor Melania Trump’s “support and commitment in promoting the arts and humanities,” per a report on NBC News.
This provision is part of a bill that would fund the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies for the 2026 fiscal year, which starts in October.
The House Appropriations Committee passed the measure, which is now headed to the full House for a vote.
“First Lady Melania Trump serves as the Honorary Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Kennedy Center,” Simpson said in a statement.
Lexi Hamel, Simpson’s spokesperson, President Donald Trump did not ask for the change.
The Kennedy Center, houses three main theaters, including the Opera House, which was designed to host operas, ballets and musicals.
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) said she opposed the name change.
“The Republicans snuck in something that’s slightly divisive, which is renaming one section of the Kennedy Center after a family member of this administration,” Pingree said. She added a congressional authorization is required anyway to rename any part of the Kennedy Center.
The chances of the it becoming law is not likely since it would face an uphill climb in the Senate.
