WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HRES 973

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.

119th Congress Introduced by Stephen Lynch

This resolution argues that naming the Kennedy Center the "Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center" violates federal law and Congress's JFK memorial intent.

Submitted in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HRES 973

Summary of H. Res. 973 (119th Congress, 1st Session)

Title

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.

Purpose and intent

  • The resolution states that designating 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” constitutes a violation of Federal law.
  • It contends that such a designation contravenes Congress’s express intent to honor President John F. Kennedy (and to honor his legacy in the arts) through the Kennedy Center, which is established as the sole national memorial to JFK within Washington, D.C. and its environs.
  • The measure frames the proposed or actual redesignation as inconsistent with the original statutory framework and memorial purposes established by Public Law 88-260 (the John F. Kennedy Center Act, enacted in 1964).

Key provisions and changes (substantive provisions)

  • Declares that the designation of the center with President Donald J. Trump’s name alongside John F. Kennedy’s name would be a violation of Federal law and an inappropriate memorial designation, given the Kennedy Center Act’s design to be the sole national memorial to JFK in the specified area.
  • Reiterates that Congress intended the Kennedy Center to honor John F. Kennedy and to advance the arts, and that the Act expressly authorized the Center’s purpose and memorial posture, including limits on memorials and plaques within public areas of the Center.
  • Cites a sequence of 2025 events alleged to involve actions by the Center’s Board of Trustees and the Trump Administration (including removal/reorganization of the Board, designation by the Board, and new signage) as context for why the designation would be improper under federal law.
  • Affirms the position that the original signage and designation of the Kennedy Center should remain in effect, and that the Board’s action to designate a new memorial designation would violate statutory design and congressional intent.

Who would be affected

  • The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (its Board of Trustees and leadership)
  • The Executive and Legislative branches may be invoked in disputes over memorial designations at the Center
  • Federal arts policy and funding discussions surrounding memorial designations and the Kennedy Center’s status

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced in the House on December 30, 2025.
  • Referral: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
  • Sponsor: Representative Stephen F. Lynch (primary).

Additional context

  • The resolution relies on historical provisions from Public Law 88-260 (the Kennedy Center Act) and references events in 2025 purportedly affecting governance and signage at the Kennedy Center.
  • As a resolution, its effect is to express the sense of the House; it does not itself change law but signals congressional stance on the appropriateness of the proposed designation and memorial designation in the Kennedy Center.

Note: The bill text included in the summary is partially truncated in places; this summary reflects the material provided and highlights the core stated intent and described rationale.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.