Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
No Funds for Trump’s Illegal Arch Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 687.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill is officially known as the No Funds for Trump's Illegal Arch Act. It stops the use of any Federal money for planning, designing, engineering, permitting, or building any structure or monument at Memorial Circle. Memorial Circle is located at Columbia Island, which is also known as Lady Bird Johnson Park in the District of Columbia. The ban also covers any ground preparation or ground disturbance activities at this location. Federal funds can only be used if a structure or monument is expressly authorized under specific existing laws, such as the Commemorative Works Act.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +3
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill restricts unauthorized construction and ground disturbance at Memorial Circle within Lady Bird Johnson Park.
- Scored +2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill prohibits ground preparation and construction activities at Lady Bird Johnson Park, protecting the parkland from unauthorized development.
- Scored +2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill prohibits the use of federal funds for certain unauthorized structures and monuments at Memorial Circle.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Protection of Federal Money: Under Section 2(b), the bill blocks the use of Federal funds for planning, design, engineering, permitting, or construction at Memorial Circle unless it follows proper authorization laws. This ensures taxpayer dollars are not spent without following the correct legal process.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Found: Based strictly on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that create negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill restricts unauthorized construction and ground disturbance at Memorial Circle within Lady Bird Johnson Park. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill prohibits ground preparation and construction activities at Lady Bird Johnson Park, protecting the parkland from unauthorized development.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill ensures federal funds are only spent on commemorative works in accordance with established authorization laws. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill prohibits the use of federal funds for certain unauthorized structures and monuments at Memorial Circle.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill enforces adherence to established statutory processes under the Commemorative Works Act for federal land use.
- 9/30/2026
- Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 687.
- 9/29/2026
- Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
John ReedDemocrat · Rhode Island
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland