Republican senator blocks bill requiring congressional approval to demolish presidential memorials

The short version

• Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) blocked unanimous consent passage of the Protecting Presidential Memorials Act on Monday night.[The Washington Sun · The Guardian]
• The bipartisan bill, led by Sens. Jeff Merkley and Lisa Murkowski, would require congressional approval to demolish designated presidential memorials.[The Washington Sun · The Guardian]
• The effort follows threats from President Donald Trump to demolish or alter the Kennedy Center amid disputes over funding and naming rights.[The Washington Sun · The Guardian]
• Following the blocked vote, lawmakers re-introduced the legislation in both the House and Senate.[The Washington Sun]

Key facts

• Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) blocked unanimous consent for the Protecting Presidential Memorials Act.[The Washington Sun · The Guardian]
• The bill was introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).[The Washington Sun · The Guardian]
• The proposed law would ban demolishing designated presidential memorials without explicit congressional approval.[The Washington Sun · The Guardian]
• A federal judge ordered the administration to provide 30 days' advance notice before executing any demolition plans.[The Washington Sun · The Guardian]
• Sen. Merkley and Rep. Chellie Pingree reintroduced the measure in both congressional chambers after the objection.[The Washington Sun]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Lone Republican Senator Derails a Bill to Prevent Demolition of the Kennedy CenterThe Washington Sun
• US senator blocks bill to ban Trump from demolishing Kennedy Center without Congress’s approvalThe Guardian - US