White House Renovation and Oversight

Rep. Jamie Raskin will introduce the "People's White House Historic Preservation Act" to require Section 106 historic‑review and mandatory consultations with the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) before any White House renovation ground‑breaking, arguing the East Wing demolition violated federal property‑destruction laws; the bill has 27 Democratic co‑sponsors but faces long odds in the GOP‑controlled House. The administration told a court consultations with NCPC and CFA "will soon be underway" and said above‑ground ballroom construction could begin in April at the earliest, while a Park Service environmental assessment — and ongoing litigation alleging APA and NEPA violations — found no significant impact, set a Summer 2028 completion, and noted the project cost has risen to about $300 million.