Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) announced last week that he would introduce a bill to encourage the use of classical architectural styles in federal public buildings.
The legislative proposal would codify President Donald Trump’s executive order (EO), which promotes the use of classical architecture in federal public buildings. Trump’s EO applies to federal buildings that are expected to cost more than $50 million in 2025 dollar value.
Burchett’s bill proposal would expedite the process for these types of buildings.
According to Trump’s EO, former Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson wanted Washington, D.C.’s most important buildings to use “classical architecture of ancient Athens and Rome.” The EO added that America followed this direction until the 1960s, when the federal government replaced classical architecture with modernist architecture.
The federal government established the Design Excellence Program in response to Americans’ complaints about the new, modernist architecture, Trump’s EO said.
The EO noted the program had “not met” its goal.
“It is time to update the policies guiding Federal architecture to address these problems and ensure that architects designing Federal buildings serve their clients, the American people,” the EO said.
According to Burchett’s press release, America abandoned classical architecture for government buildings, leaving “eyesores made of concrete that have no meaning.”
“Our government buildings should be examples of our heritage and traditions,” Burchett said. “I am thankful for President Trump’s belief in this mission, and I hope by getting this bill passed, we can speed up the process to make sure our future generations can be proud of what we have built here.”
This new bill proposal is not the first time Burchett has introduced a bill trying to codify an EO from Trump.
In June, Burchett introduced two bills, attempting to codify numerous Trump EOs into law.
The first Burchett bill seeks to codify Trump’s EOs ending taxpayer subsidization of biased media, providing deregulation for domestic production of critical medicines, and enhancing safety and security surrounding biological research.
The second bill attempts to codify Trump’s EO that prepared Americans for future high-paying trade jobs.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected].
The “modern” architectural style in D.C. is ugly.