While construction cannot proceed due to a judge’s ruling, the planning process for the White House addition proceeds.
Members of the National Capital Planning Commission cast their final vote regarding plans for a ballroom addition at the White House last week. In place of the now-demolished East Wing, a large ballroom of 89,000 square feet was approved by the commission, though District Judge Richard Leon blocked the proposed construction project. The judge ruled that the president does not have the authority to build the ballroom without congressional authorization. The president’s administration has appealed this ruling.
One member of the Commission, Phil Mendelson, voted no due to the large comparative size of the proposed ballroom to the rest of the White House’s layout. The rest of the commission voted “yes” or “present.“ Commission Chair William Scharf noted that previous White House expansions have changed the appearance of the historical building. He read old news headlines widely criticizing previous White House expansion or update choices to demonstrate the historical precedence for a push back against change.
Chairman Scharf said, “The White House complex has constantly evolved to meet the programmatic needs of the federal government and the office of the President.” He continued by saying the ballroom would become “every bit as much of a national treasure as the other key components of the White House.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For discernment for President Trump and members of his adminsitration as they plan renovations to federal properties.
- For federal judges to be prudent in their rulings regarding the separation of powers and the constitutional authority of the president.
Sources: The Hill, Politico
