Montana Senator Steve Daines to block RFK Revitalization Bill
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WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The future of RFK Stadium is up for discussion once again Wednesday morning as a U.S. Senate Committee is expected to meet regarding the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act.
The bill transfers the administration of the stadium from the National Park Service to D.C. leaders to allow for the stadium’s revitalization.
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The bill has already passed the House but still needs to clear the Senate.
Republican Senator from Montana Steve Daines says he will block the RFK Revitalization Bill until his demands are met. Daines intends to block it until the Washington Commanders honor the family of the Native American family of Blackie Wetzel, who helped provide inspiration for the team’s former logo.
During a Senate hearing Wednesday, Daines said Wetzel worked alongside early Washington football leaders and encouraged the use of Native American imagery in the teams’ previously “Redskins” logo. Daines said the team ultimately used an image of Blackfeet tribe chief Two Guns White Calf.
Senator Daines’ office released a statement saying, in part:
“What I am demanding is straightforward: that the new team leadership and the NFL sit down with the Wetzel family, sit down with the Blackfeet, sit down with tribal leaders, and find a way to properly honor the history of the logo and heritage of our tribal nations, and to rededicate the organization as an advocate for Indian Country. That effort could take many different forms.”
“The new owners and the NFL have the opportunity to heal old wounds, work with families and enter into a new era. They can properly honor the heritage of the Wetzel family, the Blackfeet tribe, Native Americans across the United States, former players and the community as a whole,” the statement continued. “The team can be a beacon of light for these communities, but until I see meaningful actions that satisfy the Wetzel family and other tribal stakeholders, I cannot support this legislation.”
The bill would allow the District to revitalize the stadium site for commercial and residential use.
The legislation would lease the land to D.C. for 99 years and it would allow the District to use it for a new stadium to lure the Commanders back.
It would also allow for the construction of new housing and retail spaces.
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Senator Daines’ office says it’s about righting a wrong.
The National Park Service also recently cleared the RFK Stadium for demolition after finding it would have no significant impact on the environment.
DC News Now reached out to Washington Commanders but has yet to hear back.
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