Democratic Congress targets Trump's D.C. construction via funding rules
Lawmakers plan to use the power of the purse to halt the arch and golf course projects before December 11.
By Nadia Rahman ·
Democratic lawmakers intend to block several of President Trump's Washington construction projects by controlling federal funding. They aim to stop work on the East Potomac golf course and the proposed arch at Memorial Circle.
The administration began major renovations early in the second term. Workers demolished the White House East Wing to build a ballroom. They also cut down hundreds of trees at East Potomac Park. Trump declared his gilded Oval Office a national monument in an executive order following the midterm elections.
The administration bypassed Congress for these projects. Trump packed regulatory commissions with allies and relied on courts to resolve disputes. Democrats now hold a congressional majority. They plan to use that power to enforce statutory requirements for changes to federal land.
Rep. Jared Huffman, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said the administration has raced ahead with bulldozers before courts can intervene. He sent letters to officials and companies ordering them to preserve records for future investigations. He described the projects as vanity efforts that violate federal law.
Experts say legislation is the cleanest way to stop the projects, but Trump has promised to veto bills. Democrats do not have enough votes to override a veto. Their most effective tool is appropriating funds. The Constitution requires Congress to approve federal spending.
Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine, who leads the committee overseeing Interior Department funding, says the power of the purse is the ultimate tool. She and Huffman are negotiating language for the short-term funding bill due by Dec. 11. The proposed text would limit federal funds for the golf course to seawall repairs and block spending on the arch.
If Trump signs the bill with these restrictions, the projects face immediate financial limits. If he vetoes or ignores the language, Democrats plan to take him to court. They also intend to hold hearings to scrutinize the money trail for the ballroom and Kennedy Center renovations.
