Bill · H.R. 5194· House(119-HR-5194)
Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 9/8/2025
- Last activity
- 9/9/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Sponsored by
- Kevin Kiley
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2025 establishes new guidelines for the design of federal public buildings. It prioritizes classical and traditional architecture to ensure buildings uplift public spaces and reflect the dignity of the United States. For buildings in the District of Columbia, classical architecture is the preferred and default style. The bill requires federal agencies to consider regional architectural heritage and seek input from local communities. It also mandates that the General Services Administration (GSA) update its policies to adhere to these new principles. Additionally, the Administrator must provide specific notifications if proposing designs that diverge from these preferred styles.
Yes
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+5
The bill mandates that federal public buildings be accessible to the handicapped.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?+5
The bill explicitly requires that applicable federal public buildings be accessible to the handicapped.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill mandates annual reports to Congress regarding the implementation of the new architectural principles.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill may increase federal spending by requiring agencies to pay additional costs to avoid architectural uniformity and to redesign existing buildings.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Community Input: The bill states that designs for federal buildings should be selected with substantial input from the local community (Section 2, paragraph 2).
-
Regional Heritage: Federal buildings may better reflect the local area by incorporating regional architectural traditions (Section 4, paragraph 1, subparagraph A, ii).
-
Artistic Opportunities: The guidelines encourage the incorporation of fine art into building designs, specifically emphasizing the work of living American artists (Section 4, paragraph 1, subparagraph A, iii).
-
Accessibility and Maintenance: The Act seeks to ensure that federal public buildings are accessible to the handicapped and are economical to operate and maintain (Section 4, paragraph 1, subparagraph A, v).
-
Aesthetic Improvements: The policy aims to uplift and beautify public spaces and inspire the human spirit through architecture (Section 2, paragraph 1, subparagraphs A and B).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Costs: Federal agencies may be willing to pay additional costs to avoid excessive uniformity in design (Section 4, paragraph 2, subparagraph A, i).
-
Potential Design Limitations: While alternative styles are possible in appropriate circumstances, the bill establishes classical and traditional architecture as the preferred and default architecture for the District of Columbia (Section 2, paragraph 3 and 4).
-
Administrative Burdens: The Administrator is required to perform several new tasks, such as establishing a Senior Advisor position, updating policies, and submitting detailed notifications and annual reports to Congress (Section 5 and Section 7).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For People With Disabilities+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-2
- 9/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/9/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 9/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Brandon GillRepublican · Texas
Riley MooreRepublican · West Virginia