Republicans Introduce Bill to Protect Historic Monuments and Statues from Vandals

The Emancipation Memorial in Washington's Lincoln Park depicts a freed slave kneeling at the feet of President Abraham Lincoln, June 25, 2020. J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo

Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), the House Republican Leader introduced legislation on Thursday in an effort to protect statues targeted by vandals, by preventing state and local governments from receiving certain federal grants if they do not safeguard monuments.

McCarthy unveiled the “Protect America’s Statues Act of 2020,” with Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and Sam Graves (R-Mo.), as monuments and statues in cities across the United States, face vandalism, amid ongoing protests and unrest.