Parliamentarian blocks taxpayer funding for Trump’s White House ballroom security

A Senate ruling blocks federal funding for security upgrades to the White House East Wing ballroom in a proposed spending package, arguing the provision violates Byrd rule constraints. Democrats had contended the money didn’t belong in the bill, while Republicans had sought to use budget reconciliation to fund the roughly $1 billion security overhaul. The decision leaves the project to private donors for an estimated $400 million, as construction continues amid preservation lawsuits.