PREVIEW

Republicans in the House voted 33-25 to advance a proposal to rename the opera house at the Kennedy Center in honor of Melania Trump. The move to rename the opera house is tied to funding for the Kennedy Center, with most of its funding now contingent on the name change. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) introduced the language in the fiscal 2026 Interior-Environment spending bill, which will provide funding for the Kennedy Center. President Donald Trump took control of the Kennedy Center's board, replacing long-serving members and appointing key White House allies to key positions. This effort is part of a broader push by Republicans to honor President Trump, including proposals to rename Washington Dulles International Airport and put his face on the $100 bill. Simpson argued that renaming the opera house is an excellent way to recognize Melania Trump’s appreciation and support for the arts. The legislation, which would also fund the Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency, includes provisions for the Kennedy Center’s capital repairs and operations. The proposal is not final yet; it must pass through both chambers of Congress and be signed into law by President Trump.
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