Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the designation of the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts constitutes a violation of Federal law, and for other purposes.
Summary
This House Resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the redesignation of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the "Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." The resolution asserts that this redesignation violates Federal law, specifically the John F. Kennedy Center Act, and contravenes the intent of Congress to honor President Kennedy. It also addresses concerns about the termination of arts and humanities grants and staffing cuts within federal arts agencies.
The resolution calls for the restoration of the original signage and the resignation of all members appointed by President Trump to the Board of Trustees. It highlights actions taken by President Trump and the revised Board of Trustees, including the appointment of a new Interim President and the alleged prevention of dissenting voices during the redesignation vote.
The resolution underscores the importance of the Kennedy Center as a national memorial and cultural institution, emphasizing the need to uphold the original intent of the John F. Kennedy Center Act.
Expected Effects
If passed, this resolution would primarily serve as a formal expression of disapproval by the House of Representatives. It would likely increase public awareness and scrutiny of the actions taken by President Trump and the Board of Trustees regarding the Kennedy Center.
While the resolution itself does not have the force of law, it could influence future legislative actions or oversight hearings related to the Kennedy Center and federal arts funding. The resolution could also put pressure on the current Board of Trustees to reconsider the redesignation and address concerns about transparency and adherence to the John F. Kennedy Center Act.
Potential Benefits
- Reinforces the original intent of the John F. Kennedy Center Act, preserving the historical significance of the memorial.
- Potentially restores the original signage, respecting the legacy of President Kennedy.
- May lead to greater transparency and accountability in the management of the Kennedy Center.
- Could discourage future actions that undermine the integrity of national memorials and cultural institutions.
- Might prompt a re-evaluation of federal arts funding policies and staffing decisions.
Potential Disadvantages
- The resolution is non-binding and may not result in any tangible changes.
- Could further polarize political discourse surrounding arts and culture.
- May be perceived as a symbolic gesture without addressing underlying issues in arts funding and management.
- Could face resistance from the current administration and Board of Trustees.
- The focus on this issue might divert attention from other pressing legislative priorities.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The resolution's alignment with the US Constitution is indirect. It primarily concerns the interpretation and enforcement of a specific federal law (the John F. Kennedy Center Act) rather than directly implicating constitutional rights or powers.
However, the resolution touches upon the broader principles of congressional oversight and the protection of cultural heritage, which can be argued to fall within the implied powers of Congress under Article I, Section 8 (the Necessary and Proper Clause) to promote the general welfare. The resolution also implicitly addresses concerns about potential abuses of power by the executive branch in altering established institutions and policies.
Furthermore, the issues raised regarding the suppression of dissenting voices during the Board of Trustees meeting could be viewed as potentially impinging on freedom of speech, although this is a more tenuous connection.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).