Tell Congress: Stop Politicians’ Vanity Projects

Federal buildings, institutions and government programs belong to the American people. They should not become monuments to politicians who are still in office — or vehicles for promoting their families or political brands.

Tell Congress: Stop elected officials from using public institutions to glorify themselves.

Congress must establish a simple safeguard:

No federal building, institution, program or other aspect of public life should be named after a president or other federal official, or a member of their immediate family, until that official has been out of office for at least 10 years or is deceased.

A waiting period gives history — and the American people — time to judge a public official's record without the pressures of current political power.

Our government should serve the public interest, not the personal ambitions or egos of those temporarily entrusted with public office.

 Sign the petition and tell Congress to keep our public institutions for the public – not as a way to bolster politicians’ egos. 

The petition to Congress reads: ”Enact legislation establishing a 10-year waiting period before federal buildings, institutions, programs or other aspects of public life may be named for a president or other federal official, or members of their immediate family.

Public institutions belong to the American people. Their names should reflect lasting public service and historical perspective — not the political power of those currently holding office.”