In a bid to immortalize the legacy of the 45th and 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump, House Republicans have embarked on a legislative spree.
Since the GOP regained control of Congress and Trump resumed office on January 20, Republican lawmakers have been actively introducing bills, organizing campaign events, and nominating Trump for awards. This flurry of activity underscores the Republican Party's full-fledged support for Trump, following his victory in the 2024 elections.
According to The Washington Examiner, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), a staunch Trump advocate and president of the GOP freshman class, proposed a bill on Monday to replace Benjamin Franklin with Trump on the $100 bill. The "Golden Age Act of 2025" is a testament to the Republicans' promise of a new "golden age" in America, a theme that was prevalent during the 2024 campaign trail and inauguration.
This move comes in the wake of Democrats' persistent efforts since 2016 to feature Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, replacing former President Andrew Jackson. The initial Trump administration had deferred plans to place Tubman on the bill until 2028, sparking backlash from Democrats such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) had introduced the "Harriet Tubman Tribute Act of 2023," but it failed to pass through the committee.
Gill's bill is part of a series of legislative proposals by Trump Republicans who aspire to extend the influence of his second administration beyond his four-year term. One such bill, introduced by Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), seeks to amend the Constitution to allow Trump to serve three terms as commander in chief.
Other GOP freshmen, like Gill, have seized the opportunity to honor Trump following the party's triumph in the 2024 election. Rep. Addison McDowell (R-NC) introduced a bill to rename Washington Dulles International Airport to Donald J. Trump International Airport.
Two bills focus on the acquisition of Greenland, a proposal Trump has repeatedly advocated for, citing national security reasons. Despite Democrats dismissing Trump's proposal as outrageous and outdated, the U.S. has attempted to purchase the territory from Denmark in the past, with attempts made in 1867, 1910, and from 1946-1947.
Ogles introduced the "Make Greenland Great Again Act," which would authorize Trump to negotiate with Denmark to purchase the territory. A similar bill from Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) proposes renaming Greenland "Red, White, and Blueland."
The GOP has also rallied behind Trump's suggestion of making Canada the 51st state, a proposal that has been firmly rejected by Canada but embraced by the Republican Party. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) recently polled her "fellow conservatives" on whether Canada should become the 51st state.
Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) reintroduced a bill to purchase the Panama Canal, another of Trump's objectives. An initial draft of the legislation stated that the purchase would cost $1, a nod to Trump's claim that former President Jimmy Carter sold the canal to Panama for that amount, a claim that has been disputed by fact-checkers.
Some Republicans are aiming to enshrine Trump's legacy beyond Washington. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) introduced a bill to carve Trump's image on the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) announced plans to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing Trump's peace efforts in the Middle East. Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize multiple times in the past, most recently by Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) in 2024, but has never won.
Issa's decision to nominate Trump followed a contentious meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr, centered on a potential ceasefire in the war between Ukraine and Russia. While many Republicans lauded Trump and Vice President JD Vance's assertive stance, some GOP lawmakers in competitive districts cautioned that a breakdown in relations could potentially result in a victory for Russia.
Tenney has set her sights on a different pro-Trump initiative this year. In February, she proposed making Trump's birthday a national holiday, stating that "no modern president has been more pivotal for our country." Trump's birthday falls on June 14, which is also Flag Day. Tenney's bill proposes renaming the holiday "Trump's Birthday and Flag Day."
With the GOP holding a trifecta, these bills stand a higher chance of becoming law. However, given Speaker Mike Johnsons (R-LA) razor-thin majority in the House, some vulnerable Republicans representing swing or blue districts may hesitate to support bills like the Greenland proposals or renaming buildings after the president.
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