U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has introduced legislation that would defund and abolish the César E. Chávez National Monument in California, citing recent allegations against the late labor leader.
The bill, titled the “No Funding to Honor Crime Scenes Act,” was introduced alongside Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA). It would eliminate federal funding for the monument and remove its national designation.
Cornyn said taxpayer dollars should not be used to support a site associated with alleged abuse, referencing reports that Chávez engaged in misconduct involving women and minors, some of which allegedly occurred at the monument site itself.
Under the proposal, any savings from abolishing the monument would be redirected to support the Debbie Smith Act, a federal program aimed at reducing the backlog of untested rape kits and funding forensic investigations.
The César E. Chávez National Monument, located in California, was established in 2012 by then-President Barack Obama and includes Chávez’s former home and headquarters of the United Farm Workers movement.
The legislation comes amid broader fallout tied to the allegations, which have prompted renewed scrutiny of Chávez’s legacy and led to calls in some areas to remove his name from public spaces and holidays.
The bill would also prohibit the Department of the Interior from using federal funds to maintain or operate the monument, except for purposes related to its closure.
It is unclear what level of support the measure will receive in Congress.
