This week, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced the “Beautifying Federal Civil Architecture Act.”
The bill will “make classical and traditional architecture the preferred architectural style for certain federal public buildings” and Rubio’s office offered some of the details of his proposal.
“America’s founders intended for Washington, D.C. to be a classical capital city. Most Americans also prefer traditional building designs over modernist ones. However, since the 1950s, federal buildings have been constructed with modern architecture counter to both the founders’ vision and the public’s preference,” Rubio’s office noted.
“Federal buildings physically embody our system of government and its institutions. Federal buildings should therefore reflect our government’s dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability while inspiring civic pride. I am proud to introduce the Beautifying Federal Civil Architecture Act to restore the tradition and beauty that our nation’s federal architecture has lost,” said Rubio.
U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Mike Braun, R-Ind., Ted Budd, R-NC, Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, are co-sponsoring the bill.
The bill was sent to the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. In the U.S. House, U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., introduced the companion bill.
The National Civic Art Society is backing Rubio’s proposal.
“The National Civic Art Society strongly supports the Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act. It is crucial that the design of federal buildings reflects the preferences of ordinary Americans–namely, that such buildings be beautiful, uplifting, and designed in a classical or traditional style. Whereas the current government process for choosing building designs involves zero input from the community, this legislation democratizes design by requiring that there be substantial input from the general public. We applaud Senator Rubio for his leadership on this important issue,” said Justin Shubow, the president of the National Civic Art Society and former chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.
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