Article Summary –
U.S. Representative Guy Reschenthaler has proposed a bill to rename Virginia’s Washington Dulles International Airport after former President Donald Trump, citing Trump’s leadership as a symbol of freedom, prosperity, and strength. Reschenthaler previously voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021 which allocated $35 million to build a new terminal at the airport. This proposal has been criticized by Democratic lawmakers who highlighted Trump’s controversial history with the airport, including the implementation of a travel ban affecting several Muslim-majority countries which led to widespread protests at Dulles and other airports.
Pennsylvania Rep. Reschenthaler Proposes Renaming Virginia’s Dulles Airport After Donald Trump
Republican U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler of Pennsylvania has proposed a bill to rename Virginia’s Washington Dulles International Airport after former President Donald Trump on March 29. He cited Trump’s impactful leadership as a strong reason for the renaming.
Despite this, Reschenthaler opposed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021, which allocated $35 million for a new 14-gate terminal at Dulles.
Trump has a complex history with Dulles Airport. Days after his inauguration in 2017, Trump issued an executive order supporting his campaign promise of banning Muslims from the U.S. This led to protests at Dulles and other airports.
Trump has expressed desires to reinstate and amplify the travel ban if reelected.
Democratic lawmakers in Virginia who fought against the 2017 travel ban have criticized Reschenthaler’s proposal. Among them, Rep. Don Beyer described his experience assisting stranded citizens at Dulles during the ban and rejected the renaming initiative.
Rep. Abigail Spanberger also criticized the idea, calling it “ridiculous” and arguing that Congress should focus on more pressing issues.
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