No Funds for Trump’s Illegal Arch Act
Bars federal funding for structures or monuments at Memorial Circle unless they receive specified legal authorization.
In committee in the Senate since Sept. 29, 2026, 9 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 29, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Deciding whether federal money can support a monument involves setting rules for work at a specific site. The bill would bar federal funds for planning, permitting, ground work, or construction of any structure or monument at Memorial Circle in Lady Bird Johnson Park. It would allow funding if the structure or monument is expressly authorized under specified federal law.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Bar federal funding for site work
The bill would prohibit federal funds from being used for planning, design, engineering, permitting, or construction of any structure or monument at Memorial Circle in Lady Bird Johnson Park in the District of Columbia.
- Cover ground preparation and disturbance
The funding prohibition would also cover ground preparation and ground disturbance at the defined site.
- Allow work expressly authorized by law
The prohibition would not apply if the structure or monument is expressly authorized under section 8106 of title 40, United States Code, or chapter 89 of that title, known as the Commemorative Works Act.
The bill makes express authorization under specified federal laws the condition for using federal funds on a structure or monument at this particular site. That would limit the federal government’s ability to fund such work there without that authorization.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 29, 2026SENATESEP 29, 2026By Sen. Merkley with 3 original cosponsors
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 29, 2026COMMITTEE NOWSEP 29, 2026In committee for 9 daysNo hearing yet
- 9 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 292026SEP 29, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- SEP 292026SEP 29, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 9, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 3 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Merkley’s record: sponsored 137 bills this Congress. 7 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Angus S. King, Jr.I-MEORIGINAL
- Jack ReedD-RIORIGINAL
- Chris Van HollenD-MDORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
Get an alert when it changes stage, gets a floor vote in the Senate, or is signed into law.