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This Thursday, January 22, two events will occur in connection with the proposed White House ballroom construction project.

At 9:00 AM ET, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts will hold a public meeting that includes an informational presentation on the White House ballroom project. This meeting represents an important step in the federal planning and review process for new construction at the White House, including future opportunities for public input as the project advances.

Members of the public may observe the meeting via livestream. Advance registration is required: https://www.cfa.gov/node/41973

Later that day, at 3:30 PM ET, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia will convene a hearing on the National Trust’s request for a preliminary injunction that would halt construction until all legally required review processes have been completed. This hearing is open to the public to attend in person (Courtroom 18) but will not be livestreamed.

• See more resources related to the White House Construction Project

The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) has placed the “East Wing Modernization Project” (which we understand includes the White House ballroom project) on the tentative agenda for an information presentation at its January 8, 2026, public meeting.

This will be an informational briefing only; no Commission action is requested or will be taken on the project at this time.

NCPC review is an important step in the federal planning process for new construction at the White House, including future opportunities for public input as the project advances.

Learn more about the NCPC January 8, 2026, meeting here: https://www.ncpc.gov/review/meeting/. If you cannot attend in person, a livestream will be available starting at 1pm ET on the NCPC website: https://www.ncpc.gov/live/.

• See more resources related to the White House Construction Project

On December 11, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing on multiple bills, including H.R. 5095, the Housing Our Military Effectively for Readiness, Operations, and Neutralization of Threats Act of 2025 (HOMEFRONT Act of 2025) introduced by Representative Patronis.

The National Trust submitted comments in advance of the hearing opposing provisions in the bill that would exempt certain military housing from the core protections provided to our nation’s historic resources by the NHPA and Section 106 process.

The National Trust appreciates the pressing need to address substandard housing for military service-members, and we look forward to working with Congress to uphold foundational preservation policies while ensuring safe and adequate housing for our military.

On November 20, the House Natural Resources Committee held a multi-bill markup session that included more than five hours of debate on provisions in the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act (H.R. 4776). The bipartisan bill is led by Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Representative Jared Golden (D-ME). The permitting reform legislation primarily focuses on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and includes a number of provisions, including limiting the scope of NEPA review, reducing timelines, and addressing the volume of litigation.

Despite general consensus on the need for permitting reform, the bill’s provisions generated significant disagreement. Democrats offered numerous amendments to strike language in the bill or make additions, including expanding the scope of NEPA reviews to include long-term impacts, reinstating previously active clean energy projects, and ensuring parity between various types of energy projects. All but one of the amendments failed to be included, and the final vote on passage was 25-18, with two Democrats joining their Republican colleagues in support.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) has indicated the SPEED Act is a “major priority,” and while the House floor calendar is backed up after the government shutdown, Republicans will schedule the bill for a House floor vote as soon as possible after the bill is finalized. The SPEED Act does not have a matching companion bill in the Senate; however, Senate leaders have similarly indicated strong interest in advancing a permitting reform proposal. Any dissimilar House and Senate proposals will require a negotiation of a singular legislative package, and the National Trust will continue our engagement with Congress as the legislative process moves forward.

A recording of the session is available on the committee website.

The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) is responsible for approving new construction in the Washington, D.C. metro region. While the NCPC does not oversee demolition within the District, the commission is expected to review plans for new construction at the White House. After shuttering for more than a month as a result of the government shutdown, the next public meeting of the NCPC is scheduled to occur on December 4. The commission typically meets on the first Thursday of the month, and construction of a ballroom at the White House does not appear on next month’s tentative agenda.

Commission meetings may be observed either online or in person without registration. Anyone wishing to provide oral testimony must register in advance, and all written comments, oral statements, and any supporting materials become part of the public record. Meetings are livestreamed, recorded, and transcribed, with all materials made available online.

The National Trust will monitor NCPC’s meeting schedule and provide updates to ensure the preservation community has access to information and opportunities to follow federal planning decisions that may affect historic resources. With ongoing interest in the White House East Wing and ballroom construction projects, a future meeting of the NCPC offers an important opportunity for those interested to participate in the public process.

More information about the NCPC can be found here. You can also review our FAQ about the construction of the White House ballroom.