The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) sent a letter to Congress opposing permanent fencing of the Capitol Complex while also offering the expertise of landscape architects. ASLA government affairs also followed up by meeting with Congressional staff and the Architect of the Capitol to discuss how the profession can help maintain security while also understanding the historic landscape.

 

Representative, Eleanor Holmes Norton, hosted the roundtable to find a different solution other than permanent fencing around the Capitol Complex. Currently, language is also included in a security spending bill that was passed in the House on May 20 which forbids permanent above ground fencing while promoting the use of funding for landscape architecture as a security option.

According to the bill "...funds made available under this heading may be used for design, installation, of landscape architecture ...as part of an interconnected security of the United States Capitol Grounds and such funds shall not be used to install permanent above ground fencing around the perimeter, or any portion thereof, of the United States Capitol Grounds..."

https://www.asla.org/NewsListingDetails.aspx?id=59810