Last year, the two commissions gave final approval to a scaled-down design. But the National Capital Planning Commission voted May 3 to revisit all aspects of the site and design, citing irregularities in its approval. The bill nullifies both a court challenge and the planning commission's misgivings. The Congress of the United States has acted to remove the obstacles and begin the project. Detractors, including some veterans, have criticized the neoclassical theme as authoritarian and inappropriate.
Defenders say it evokes democracy's triumph over totalitarianism.
Several World War II veterans who attended the bill-signing and watched the president lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington, Va., said they did not expect to see a memorial in their lifetimes. An estimated 16.4 million Americans served in World War II, which the United States entered on Dec. 7, 1941. About 4.9 million are alive today. I really didn't think Congress would try to get involved. I thought they would let it go back to the courts.