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Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2726| Senate 
| Updated: 9/4/2025
Jim Banks

Jim Banks

Republican Senator

Indiana

Cosponsors (5)
Roger Marshall (Republican)Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican)Mike Lee (Republican)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Bill Hagerty (Republican)

Environment and Public Works Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2025 establishes a new policy for the design of applicable Federal public buildings, aiming to ensure they uplift public spaces, inspire the human spirit, and command respect. The Act declares that traditional and classical architecture, which includes styles like Neoclassical, Georgian, and Greek Revival, is the preferred architecture for these buildings. For Federal public buildings in the District of Columbia, classical architecture is designated as the default style, absent exceptional factors. The bill mandates that designs for Federal public buildings should be selected with substantial input from the local community. When considering designs that diverge from the preferred criteria, great care must be taken to choose a design that conveys dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability. Furthermore, for existing buildings that do not meet these criteria, the feasibility and expense of redesigning them to align with the new standards should be examined, especially for exterior renovations. The General Services Administration (GSA) is required to adhere to these policies and update its procedures accordingly. This includes ensuring GSA architects involved in design selection have formal training or significant experience in classical or traditional architecture , and establishing a Senior Advisor for Architectural Design with expertise in these styles. For design-build competitions, experience with classical or traditional architecture must be listed as a specialized qualification and given substantial weight. The Administrator of the GSA must also actively recruit firms with experience in these preferred styles for design competitions and ensure multiple design modes advance to the final evaluation round. If the Administrator proposes to approve a design that deviates from the preferred architecture, such as Brutalist or Deconstructivist styles, a detailed notification must be submitted to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, explaining the justification and comparing costs with preferred architectural alternatives. The GSA Administrator is also required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing adherence to these principles.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1943
Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2023
Sep 4, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Sep 4, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Sep 9, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5194
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1943
    Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2023


  • September 4, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 4, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


  • September 9, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5194
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5194: Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2025

Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2726| Senate 
| Updated: 9/4/2025
The Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2025 establishes a new policy for the design of applicable Federal public buildings, aiming to ensure they uplift public spaces, inspire the human spirit, and command respect. The Act declares that traditional and classical architecture, which includes styles like Neoclassical, Georgian, and Greek Revival, is the preferred architecture for these buildings. For Federal public buildings in the District of Columbia, classical architecture is designated as the default style, absent exceptional factors. The bill mandates that designs for Federal public buildings should be selected with substantial input from the local community. When considering designs that diverge from the preferred criteria, great care must be taken to choose a design that conveys dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability. Furthermore, for existing buildings that do not meet these criteria, the feasibility and expense of redesigning them to align with the new standards should be examined, especially for exterior renovations. The General Services Administration (GSA) is required to adhere to these policies and update its procedures accordingly. This includes ensuring GSA architects involved in design selection have formal training or significant experience in classical or traditional architecture , and establishing a Senior Advisor for Architectural Design with expertise in these styles. For design-build competitions, experience with classical or traditional architecture must be listed as a specialized qualification and given substantial weight. The Administrator of the GSA must also actively recruit firms with experience in these preferred styles for design competitions and ensure multiple design modes advance to the final evaluation round. If the Administrator proposes to approve a design that deviates from the preferred architecture, such as Brutalist or Deconstructivist styles, a detailed notification must be submitted to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, explaining the justification and comparing costs with preferred architectural alternatives. The GSA Administrator is also required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing adherence to these principles.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1943
Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2023
Sep 4, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Sep 4, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Sep 9, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5194
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1943
    Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2023


  • September 4, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 4, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


  • September 9, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5194
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Jim Banks

Jim Banks

Republican Senator

Indiana

Cosponsors (5)
Roger Marshall (Republican)Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican)Mike Lee (Republican)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Bill Hagerty (Republican)

Environment and Public Works Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5194: Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted