House Republicans Release New Bill To Rename Airport


House Republicans have launched a fresh and audacious bid to leave their mark on Washington, D.C., quite literally—this time by renaming one of the capital’s busiest airports after President Donald J. Trump. Just days into Trump’s second term, freshman Rep. Addison McDowell (R-NC) introduced legislation to rechristen Washington Dulles International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport, citing the president’s transformative impact on the nation.

In a statement, McDowell declared, “We have entered the golden age of America largely thanks to President Trump’s leadership. It is only right that the two airports servicing our nation’s capital are duly honored and respected by two of the best presidents to have the honor of serving our great nation.” For McDowell, the pairing of Trump’s name with an airport near the heart of American democracy symbolizes what he sees as an era of resurgence and strength under the former president’s leadership.

The bill itself is brief, spanning just two pages, but its implications have already stirred both excitement and opposition. It proposes that all references to Dulles Airport—named after former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, a prominent figure in the Eisenhower administration—be changed to Donald J. Trump International Airport.

While a similar proposal by Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) floundered in a Democrat-controlled Congress last term, the political landscape has shifted dramatically. With Republicans now steering both chambers of Congress and Trump occupying the White House, this legislation has a far better chance of advancing.

Unsurprisingly, the proposal has divided lawmakers along familiar ideological lines. Supporters argue the renaming is a well-earned recognition of Trump’s legacy, particularly following what they describe as a historic landslide reelection.

Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV), one of the bill’s co-sponsors, said Trump is “the most consequential politician in my lifetime,” emphasizing his agenda’s profound resonance with working Americans. Meanwhile, Reschenthaler labeled Trump “the greatest president of my lifetime” and expressed confidence the legislation would cement his legacy in the nation’s capital.

Opposition, however, has been swift and vocal, with Democrats deriding the move as a waste of legislative energy. Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, now a Democratic contender for Virginia governor, dismissed the proposal as “ridiculous,” arguing Congress has far more pressing priorities. Citing the need to reauthorize the FAA and address national security, Spanberger criticized House Republicans for focusing on renaming an airport while larger issues remain unresolved.

But the bill’s supporters anticipated this backlash and came prepared. McDowell fired back with a jab of his own, quipping, “Democrats are all for changing genders—so why not change the name of an airport?” His statement was as pointed as it was provocative, underscoring the cultural and political divides that have only deepened in recent years.

The stakes are higher this time around for both sides. Dulles Airport, celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2022, is a historic hub named for a significant Cold War-era diplomat. Changing its name to honor Trump would represent more than a symbolic shift; it would cement the former president’s imprint on the capital’s identity and serve as a pointed political statement.

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