House Republicans have proposed a bill to rename Washington Dulles International Airport after former President Donald Trump, sparking controversy in an election year. The bill aims to designate Dulles Airport in Virginia as the "Donald J. Trump International Airport."
Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler, a Pennsylvania Republican, stated, "Freedom. Prosperity. Strength. That's what America stood for under the leadership of President Donald J.
Trump -- the best president of my lifetime. And that's why I'm introducing legislation to rename Dulles as the Donald J. Trump International Airport."
The legislation was introduced last Friday and co-sponsored by six other members: Reps. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), and Mike Waltz (R-Fla.).
However, the bill's fate in the GOP-controlled House remains uncertain. It is expected to face opposition in the Democratic-controlled Senate, making its passage into law unlikely.
Several House Democrats from Virginia criticized the Republicans' efforts. Rep. Abigail Spanberger wrote, "Congress must act on pressing issues like reauthorizing the FAA and passing the national security supplemental.
Yet this is what a Member of House Republican leadership focuses on -- renaming Virginia's Dulles airport after Trump."
Rep. Don Beyer recalled Trump's controversial travel ban and criticized Republicans for their support, stating, "I remember Republicans like those who wrote this bill hiding and giving mealy-mouthed responses when asked about the suffering Trump's Muslim ban caused."
Dulles Airport, located 26 miles west of Washington, D.C., was originally named for John Foster Dulles, who served as secretary of state under President Dwight Eisenhower.
The airport was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 and later renamed Washington Dulles International Airport in 1984.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which oversees Dulles Airport, did not comment on the bill.