US Preserve Act aims to protect New Deal murals in federal buildings
On July 14, 2026, Democratic lawmakers Dina Titus from Nevada and Lloyd Doggett from Texas proposed the Preserve Act to protect public art in federal buildings targeted for elimination by the Trump administration. This legislation mandates the General Services Administration to establish a committee of experts dedicated to preserving commissioned artworks, especially murals from the New Deal period initiated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s. The Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building in Washington, DC, which features frescoes by artists such as Philip Guston, Ben Shahn, and others, faces potential threats. Preservationists emphasize that the removal of these frescoes requires specialized techniques. The bill has received support from several organizations, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Preservation Action, and is pending review by House committees led by Republicans.
Key facts
- Bill introduced July 14, 2026 by Dina Titus and Lloyd Doggett
- Targets public art in federal buildings marked for disposal by Trump administration
- GSA must create expert committee to protect commissioned art
- Specifically addresses New Deal murals from FDR's 1930s program
- Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building houses 'Sistine Chapel of the New Deal'
- Artists include Philip Guston, Ben Shahn, Seymour Fogel, Emma Lou Davis, Henry Kreis, Ethel and Jenne Magafan
- Some works are frescoes embedded in walls, difficult to remove
- Bill endorsed by National Trust for Historic Preservation, Living New Deal, Hands Off the Arts, Preservation Action
Entities
Artists
- Philip Guston
- Ben Shahn
- Seymour Fogel
- Emma Lou Davis
- Henry Kreis
- Ethel Magafan
- Jenne Magafan
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Institutions
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- General Services Administration
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Living New Deal
- Hands Off the Arts
- Preservation Action
- Social Security Works
- Public Art Dialogue
Locations
- Washington, DC
- United States
- Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building