Raskin to introduce bill to require review of White House renovation plans

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

Updated on: December 16, 2025 / 7:18 AM EST / CBS News


Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland plans to introduce legislation Tuesday that would subject White House renovations like President Trump's ballroom project to the same reviews as other federal projects. Currently, the White House is exempt from certain oversight under the National Historic Preservation Act.

Raskin's bill, called the "People's White House Historic Preservation Act," would require White House renovations to undergo a so-called "Section 106 review," a pre-ground breaking assessment that addresses the impact of renovations on historic buildings and allows the public to weigh in.

The legislation comes three months after construction crews began work on a privately-financed, 90,000-square-foot ballroom addition that will cost about $300 million. A construction crane hangs over the site where the East Wing once stood. It was demolished in late October, even though President Trump had previously said the new construction would be "near it but not touching it — and pays total respect to the existing building."

Mr. Trump has reveled in how easy it's been to fast track the project. In October, Mr. Trump recounted being told, "Sir, this is the White House, you're the president of the United States, you can do anything you want." "It's kings who treat public property as private property," Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, told CBS News in a phone interview. "It's not his house; it's our house. And if there is going to be construction and renovation expansion or changes, that should go through a regular public process."

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/raskin-bill-require-white-house-renovation-plans-review/

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Link to Rep. Raskin PRESS RELEASE - Raskin Introduces Legislation to Preserve the People’s White House, Require Public Input for Trump’s Marie Antoinette Ballroom

Link to draft BILL (PDF) - https://raskin.house.gov/_cache/files/0/8/0808efd4-99d2-4e9b-bcd0-027a3fe11555/BC16BBA5BB001547B2E603789B8AC9FB74E40CEFAED2EA2AF7368853F9F63973.people-s-white-house-historic-preservation-act.pdf

[FredGarvin]

1. Kinda late?

Sadly.

[FredGarvin]

2. As usual

Can I say that on DU?

I was criticizing a politician that has a D after his name.

Hope I dont get another warning for stating facts.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. Democrats do NOT control the Legislative Branch

So whether they submitted the legislation the day this catastrophe was first announced, or now, it would never see the light of day as long as the GOP control the Committees and Chairs.

I know that can be a difficult concept for some to understand, but be that as it may, should Democrats regain either or both chambers, any drafts can be reintroduced, tweaked, debated in Committee and go through the rest of the regular process.

Democrats were already fact-finding as it was happening in October - Hoyer, Pocan, Bishop, Ivey Demand Accountability for Trump's Demolition of White House East Wing, which is what NORMALLY happens when putting together legislation, and they also drafted legislation dealing with the purported donors for this - Democrats introduce bill that would restrict White House ballroom donations

So maybe familiarize yourself with the legislative process and fine tune that "critique".

[mahina]

7. Oh brother.

[chowder66]

3. It should include the removal of dangerous substances like Trump and his ghouls.

[mdbl]

8. LOL with sadness at the reality

[Bayard]

4. There should also be a provision to cover new construction,

Like his damn Arc de trump.

[joanbarnes]

5. I just had a great idea.......

If this Epstein Ballroom ever gets built, we the People should use it as a site for public Nuremberg style trials.