REPS LIEU AND MCCLAIN DELANEY INTRODUCE THE CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORIZATION FOR FEDERAL BUILDING NAMES ACT
WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (D-MD) introduced the Congressional Authorization for Federal Building Names Act that would require Congress to expressly authorize the renaming of federal property.
In September 2025, Trump ordered the Department of Defense to be renamed the “Department of War.” However, FY27 appropriations requests and bills continue to refer to the agency as the Department of Defense because the change has not been enacted in statute. This renaming attempt could cost taxpayers up to $125 million. Later in December, Trump ordered the John F. Kennedy Center to be renamed the “Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,” and directed the U.S. Institute of Peace to be renamed the “Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.” The Administration has physically changed the names of these buildings, effectively defacing them.
“Presidents should not be able to unilaterally put their own name on federal property,” said Congressman Lieu. “Not only is this practice self-centered, it also carries a large price tag for the American people. Renaming federal property should respect the history, spirit, and purpose of the property as opposed to catering to the ego of the president.”
“The names on our federal buildings are not any President’s to give away. They belong to the American people, and only Congress can change them. This bill puts that in statute — with real penalties for appointees who ignore it,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney.
The Congressional Authorization for Federal Building Names Act would:
Require Congress to expressly authorize the renaming of federal property – any feature, building, or property administered by a federal agency or designated by statute.
Impose criminal penalties on any officer or employee of the federal government who
(1) willfully displays an incorrect name of a unit of federal property, or
(2) renames a unit of federal property without prior statutory authorization
Defines "officer or employee" as any political appointee, including those appointed to or acting in a position that requires Senate confirmation.
Consistent with federal law, impose penalties based on the amount of damage caused or attempted:
If the damage or attempted damage does not exceed $1000: up to 1 year imprisonment, a fine of up to $100,000, or both.
If the damage or attempted damage exceeds $1000: up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
Increase the statute of limitations from 5 to 10 years.