House Democrats announce bill aimed to block construction of Trump's 'Triumphal Arch'

House Democrats are set to introduce legislation to block the construction of President Donald Trump's proposed "triumphal arch" near the Lincoln Memorial. The bill, led by Rep. Don Beyer, comes after a federal commission approved the design for the project that President Trump wants to serve as the entrance to the nation's capital. However, critics of the 250-foot arch argue that what they call a "vanity project" of the President violates the Commemorative Works Act and bypasses required congressional approval.

The legislation, first previewed by The Washington Post, would halt all construction related to the arch on the small island and prohibit the use of federal funds for the project. Beyer of Virginia introduced the bill alongside Dina Titus of Nevada, who claimed it relies on illegal funding manipulations as it lacks congressional authorization. The bill, co-sponsored by fellow Democrats Rep. Suhas Subramanyam and Bobby Scott, will be introduced during Friday's pro forma session. 

Beyer argues that the project violates the Commemorative Works Act. D.C., and since it is adjacent to the Arlington National Cemetery, it disgraces the hallowed grounds. "It is unthinkable that we would desecrate this hallowed space to build a monument to Donald Trump's ego," he told a local ABC News affiliate. Beyer had previously expressed concerns over the planned structure hindering traffic for commuters entering the District from Virginia, particularly during rush hour. "Nearly 70,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day, most of which are from Virginia, and many more pass through the environs on their way through Northern Virginia," Beyer wrote in a letter, according to the Washington Examiner.

The opposition comes after the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), an agency that reviews design plans for government projects, approved a revised design for the structure last week, according to The Post. The project that critics dubbed the "Arc de Trump" is the latest in the President's efforts to remodel the capital city to commemorate the country's 250th anniversary and leave a mark of his presidency. "We're the only important and major city that doesn't have a triumphal arch," Trump told reporters after the design was approved, according to the BBC. 

Furthermore, a spokesperson for the Department of the Interior told the Washington Examiner that all measures, including traffic studies, were conducted to ensure smooth execution of the project. "In an effort to increase pedestrian and vehicle safety as well as efficient movement for both, we have conducted detailed traffic modeling and simulations to better understand the impacts of different contemplated traffic flows," the spokesperson said. "After construction of the Arch, traffic delays will be minimized to the time needed to safely accommodate pedestrian crossings and the flow of traffic," the statement added. Trump has also argued that the project doesn't need Congressional approval, as a similar project was approved over a century ago at the site.

The revised design reduced the height of the arch and removed four golden lions from around the base of the structure, and allowed the construction of a golden, winged Lady Liberty on the top, flanked by two gold eagles, with the phrases "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All" inscribed on either side of the structure, the Associated Press reported. While a cost estimate for the arch is yet to be calculated, a mix of taxpayer and private money is expected to be used, a White House official told the outlet on condition of anonymity.