Congresswoman Beatty’s Statement on President Trump’s Announced Two-Year Closure of the Kennedy Center

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s announced two-year closure of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts:

“Once again, Donald Trump has acted with total disregard for Congress. The Kennedy Center is congressionally funded, and Congress should have been consulted on any decision to shut down its operations or undertake major renovations, especially for a two-year period.

Countless employees, artists, and others have existing contracts and agreements with the Center. What happens to them? Has Trump or his handpicked Board given any consideration to their livelihoods or futures? This is precisely why congressional oversight is essential.

And let’s be clear: remodeling the premises will not restore the Kennedy Center to what it was. A return to artistic independence will. America’s artists are rejecting this attempted takeover, and the administration knows it. That is why they are now scrambling for cover.”

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