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119-s-3361119th Congress

No Palaces Act

Sponsored By: Senator Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would require mandatory National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approval before any building or site improvement to the White House or its grounds. It would also force agencies to consult NCPC early on demolition planning, give Congress a 60-day window to block approved projects, restrict private funding unless Congress okays it, and create fast judicial review for disputes.

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  • Federal agencies and the Executive Office of the President would have to finish NCPC concept review and get NCPC approval before starting improvements or committing to demolition plans. This adds a formal approval step at the start of planning.
  • Members of Congress would get a 60-day consideration period to introduce a joint resolution to disapprove an NCPC-approved improvement, and the Senate procedures would limit debate to 10 hours and speed floor action. That gives Congress a clear, timebound route to block projects.
  • Private donors and federal fund managers would face new limits because private funds cannot be used without Congressional authorization and any federal spending must meet the rules in 31 U.S.C. 1301. The bill also creates an expedited civil-judicial path allowing preservation bodies, NCPC, either House, or a Member of Congress to seek injunctions in court.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Faster court review for White House disputes

If enacted, the preservation councils, the Commission of Fine Arts, the NCPC, either House of Congress, or a Member could sue in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., to stop covered White House work. Cases would be heard by a three-judge panel and the District Court would have 30 days to decide. Appeals would move quickly: notice in 10 days, a hearing in 45 days, and a decision in 90 days. The Supreme Court could review orders about permanent injunctions.

New White House approval and funding rules

If enacted, federal agencies working for the President would need NCPC concept review and NCPC approval before any White House building or site improvement. After NCPC approval, Congress would get a 60-day review window (excluding long adjournments) in which a joint resolution of disapproval may be introduced. The Senate’s default fast rules would include a 20-day committee timing, a petition by 30 Senators to discharge, and a 10-hour debate limit. Private funds could not pay for the work unless Congress authorizes them. Any federal money used would have to follow the federal purpose rule in 31 U.S.C. §1301.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

CT • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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