More unwarranted hyperpartisan rhetoric is coming from Congress, this time from Democratic Congressman Don Beyer (VA-8).
On Wednesday, the House Natural Resources Committee voted to pass a bill that will name a park adjacent to Reagan National Airport after the former president’s wife, first lady Nancy Reagan, infuriating Beyer who is clearly still upset about the naming of the airport two decades ago.
Members of Congress believed the name would be fitting as an opening gateway to nation’s capital, reuniting the couple through monument dedications. Nancy Reagan passed away in Bel-Air, California, in 2016.
According to the Washington Post, Beyer was quoted saying, “…this bill is the equivalent of someone coming in and changing the furniture in your house without asking you. First, you would have liked them to ask you, and even if you do like the furniture, you probably would have wanted input since it’s your house.” The park, a federally-controlled piece of land, is located on the western bank of the Potomac River, near Reagan National Airport.
For fellow Virginian lawmaker Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (VA-10) naming federally-owned parks after national figures is not such a partisan issue. She said naming the park after Nancy Reagan is, “a fitting tribute to someone who was a dedicated partner to her husband and dedicated so much to the service of our country. Lady Bird Johnson Park is also nearby. It is petty, partisan and disappointing that Rep. Beyer is spending his time battling this modest recognition.”
Beyer claims he was denied the the courtesy of a notification from the main proponent of the bill, Republican Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10). “This would be the equivalent of my offering a bill in Mr. Hice’s district to rename the Oconee National Forest’s campground the Hillary Clinton campground or the Michelle Obama campground,” Beyer charged on the House floor.
Beyer has continuously accused Republicans on the House committee of exerting federal control over local lands. According to the report, he said, “It’s a pretty blue district…If you’re going to name it after a first lady, which first lady would it have been?” He could possibly have forgotten that a park named after Lady Bird Johnson, wife of Democrat President Lyndon Johnson, is very close to the airport as well.
The distasteful actions by Beyer are indicative of a Democratic Party that serves to divide people. Instead of attacking his counterparts in the Capitol, like his repeated attempts to tarnish the name of Congresswoman Comstock, he should be working on legislation. However, during his tenure in the lower chamber, he has attained absolutely zero legislative successes and has no agenda to promote.
