A Republican senator has blocked a bipartisan bill that would have required congressional approval before the Kennedy Center could be demolished. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) objected on Monday night when Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) asked the Senate to pass the Protecting Presidential Memorials Act by unanimous consent, a procedure that allows a bill to advance without a floor vote if no senator objects.
The bill was co-written by Merkley and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and would have banned the demolition of any presidential memorial designated by Congress without lawmakers' approval, which would include the Kennedy Center. Lee's objection prevented the measure from passing under the expedited process.
According to Deseret News, the bipartisan push comes as the Trump administration has publicly suggested the Kennedy Center could be demolished if the building does not undergo changes sought by the administration. Forbes reported that a version of the bill had been introduced in both the House and Senate after an earlier effort to pass it failed.
How each side covered it
Left
- Reports led with Lee blocking a bill meant to stop Trump from demolishing the Kennedy Center.
- Coverage noted the bill was co-written by Merkley, a Democrat, and Murkowski, a Republican.
- Outlets emphasized the bipartisan nature of the measure Lee objected to.
“US senator blocks bill to ban Trump from demolishing Kennedy Center without Congress's approval” — The Guardian
Center
- The Hill detailed that Merkley sought unanimous consent, which Lee's objection defeated.
- Forbes noted a version of the bill had been introduced in both chambers after an earlier effort failed.
- Coverage focused on the procedural mechanics of the Senate objection.
“GOP senator blocks move to prevent Trump from tearing down buildings honoring presidents” — The Hill
Right
- Deseret News and the Washington Examiner both reported Lee's objection to fast-tracking the bipartisan bill.
- Coverage noted the bill would ban demolition of any presidential memorial without congressional approval.
- Deseret News reported that the Trump administration had publicly suggested the Kennedy Center could be demolished absent unspecified changes.
“Mike Lee blocks effort to prevent Trump from tearing down presidential memorials” — Washington Examiner
Questions readers ask
What happened with the Kennedy Center bill?
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) blocked a bipartisan bill on Monday night that would have required congressional approval before the Kennedy Center or other presidential memorials could be demolished. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) had sought to pass the measure by unanimous consent.
Who introduced the bill Lee blocked?
The Protecting Presidential Memorials Act was co-written by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
Why does this matter?
The bill was intended to prevent demolition of the Kennedy Center after the Trump administration publicly suggested it could be torn down if changes it sought were not made, according to Deseret News.
What did left- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning outlets emphasized that a single Republican senator blocked protection for the Kennedy Center from Trump, while right-leaning outlets described the bill more broadly as covering presidential memorials generally.
What happens next?
The sources do not specify next steps, though Forbes noted a version of the bill had already been introduced in both the House and Senate after an earlier failed attempt.
Sources · 7 outlet reports
- The GuardianLeft-leaningUS senator blocks bill to ban Trump from demolishing Kennedy Center without Congress’s approval
- The New RepublicLeft-leaningOne Republican Blocks Attempt to Save Kennedy Center From Trump
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningGOP senator blocks bill to stop Trump from demolishing Kennedy Center
- ForbesCenterBill To Prevent Kennedy Center Demolition Introduced In Both Houses After Earlier Effort Failed
- The HillCenterGOP senator blocks move to prevent Trump from tearing down buildings honoring presidents
- Deseret NewsRight-leaningSen. Mike Lee blocks effort to fast-track bill banning demolition of presidential memorials
- Washington ExaminerRight-leaningMike Lee blocks effort to prevent Trump from tearing down presidential memorials