Issa Statement on Eisenhower Memorial Vote and Offered Amendment

WASHINGTON – Today, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., released the following statement on his vote in favor of the National Capitol Planning Commission’s resolution to disapprove portions of the proposed design for the Eisenhower Memorial. The resolution passed seven-three, with an amendment introduced by Chairman Issa.

“As somebody who has grown to greatly admire President Eisenhower, I know he was a man who believed you had to come as you are, bring what you have and get the job done,” Chairman Issa said. “I hope that all of us will agree that the time for endless debate is over, and that the Gehry Partners and this Commission have to find a middle ground to establish a beautiful memorial that honors the spirit of this president. I don’t view today’s vote as a rejection of the proposed design, but rather an opportunity to have the dialogue necessary to resolve these remaining issues once and for all.”

Chairman Issa, one of two voting members of Congress on the NPCB, today sent a letter to Commission President Preston Bryant, Jr. noting the importance of finalizing the plans for the proposed memorial. Issa also introduced an amendment to the resolution, which “directs the applicant to return every two months beginning in June, 2014 to address as a standing item on the commission’s agenda updates on design modification.” The amendment was adopted on a vote of eight-two.

You can read the Chairman’s letter to Mr. Bryan here.