A bill introduced on July 13th by Nevada Representative Dina Titus aims to write the General Services Administration's "Guiding Principles" for federal architecture into federal law. 

The bill, titled the "Democracy in Design Act," represents an effort to stop the implementation the "Making Federal Buildings Beautiful Again" initiative proposed by President Donald Trump earlier this year. Though text of the proposed law has yet to be published, passage of the bill would prevent the president from using an executive order to change or undermine them. 

The principles advocate for open-ended design approaches for public buildings and the artworks displayed within for federal building projects created by the General Services Administration. President Trump ignited an architectural firestorm earlier this year when news of his proposed executive order came to light. The draft executive order, which has yet to be implemented fully, would make classical architectural styling "the preferred and default style" for America's public buildings and would explicitly ban "modernist" or "brutalist" designs.

Summary text for the proposed law, H.R.7604, would "direct the Administrator of General Services to ensure that the construction and acquisition of public buildings in the United States adheres to the guiding principles for Federal architecture, and for other purposes."

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) voiced support for the initiative in a press release published on July 15th, stating that AIA "strongly supports legislation proposed today that would thwart an anticipated Executive Order mandating classical architecture as the preferred design style for federal courthouses and other federal properties."

“We praise Congresswoman Titus for taking the first steps toward a more democratic approach to federal architecture,” explained AIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer Robert Ivy, FAIA. “We stand committed to continuing to work with members of Congress to ensure we uphold the quality of our nation’s architecture.”

To which AIA 2020 President Jane Frederick, FAIA added, “Mandating any single design style will undermine the value of the very architectural style it seeks to promote. Buildings—both functionally and aesthetically—must be designed to serve their populations. It’s critical that communities have the ability to decide for themselves what architectural design best fits their needs.”

When first announced, the proposed executive order drew condemnation from the AIA, the National Organization for Minority Architects, The Architecture Lobby, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, The American Society of Landscape Architects, and other groups.