All articles tagged with #ballroom
Senate Republicans are set to abandon a $1 billion security package for the White House complex and Trump’s ballroom from a broader immigration-enforcement bill amid intra-party backlash and Democratic opposition, with lawmakers wary of cost and usage; Democrats are pushing to block or constrain a separate Trump settlement fund, and leadership aims to move the bill via reconciliation despite parliamentary hurdles.
Trump called for the firing of the Senate parliamentarian after she blocked funding for a ballroom, signaling a clash over Senate procedure and executive influence.
Senate Republicans removed a $1 billion Secret Service funding request for the White House ballroom project from an immigration-enforcement bill, citing parliamentary rules and GOP concerns, signaling a setback for the Trump security upgrades amid internal party opposition and broader immigration-bill tensions.
Trump claimed the White House ballroom is a shield for a six-story underground complex featuring a military hospital, research facilities, and a so-called drone empire. He said donors would pay for the main ballroom while public funds could cover surrounding security upgrades, as the price tag swelled from about $100 million to $400 million, drawing criticism about financing and taxpayers’ costs amid Republican debates over funding.
President Donald Trump gave reporters the closest look yet at the planned White House ballroom, touting its security features while facing congressional scrutiny over funding; he says the project is privately funded with an eye toward completion around 2028.
Four Republican senators publicly oppose funding for the White House East Wing ballroom as part of the immigration-enforcement bill, with others privately opposed; some urge removing or shrinking the $1 billion Secret Service line-item, while Democrats oppose the package overall. The White House has briefed lawmakers, and leaders aim to vote before Memorial Day recess, potentially stripping the provision if needed.
President Trump pressed Senate leaders to secure about $1 billion in Secret Service funding—including $200 million for the East Wing renovation and ballroom—as part of a broader immigration enforcement bill, but the Senate parliamentarian ruled the measure couldn’t be voted on under budget reconciliation, leaving Republicans to craft alternative language to win support and bypass the filibuster.
The Senate parliamentarian ruled that hundreds of millions proposed for security measures tied to the White House East Wing modernization and Trump’s planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom cannot be included in the current GOP spending package under reconciliation rules, forcing lawmakers to remove or rework the ballroom-related provisions. Democrats hailed the decision as a taxpayer protection, while Republicans plan to redraft and resubmit the bill, arguing the funds would cover security rather than the ballroom itself; the dispute follows earlier rulings that parts of the bill violated reconciliation protocols and jurisdictional limits.
The White House is pressuring Republicans to approve about $1 billion in security funding tied to the East Wing modernization and the president’s ballroom, arguing the money would bolster safety for the entire complex and major events. The package covers hardening the ballroom, a new screening facility, training for Secret Service agents, enhanced protectee security, counterterror and threat measures, and high-profile event security. Some Republicans privately oppose funding the ballroom with public dollars and favor private financing, while Senate leadership wants a narrowly tailored bill; Democrats plan to challenge its inclusion under reconciliation. The funding would serve as a legal authorization for the project and be folded into a broader DHS funding package for the remainder of Trump’s term, with the Senate parliamentarian scrutinizing the plan.
Administration officials are pressing Senate Republicans to back a $1 billion security fund that could be used for parts of Trump’s ballroom project, arguing it’s needed for White House protection amid rising threats. House Republicans criticize the timing amid high gas and grocery prices, and many doubt the votes exist to pass the measure. The provision is part of a larger, party-line immigration-focused spending package that lawmakers hope to strip out in the Senate via Byrd-bath conversations and committee votes planned for next week, with ongoing debates about whether it will survive floor action in both chambers.
Republican lawmakers are demanding more information on a proposed $1 billion Secret Service funding line in a reconciliation bill focused on immigration enforcement, which could cover security upgrades at the White House and the Trump ballroom project. While Democrats and the White House say the funding is needed for security after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, several Republicans want specifics and some worry the measure could undermine their agenda or be stripped out in committee or on the floor as talks continue.
President Trump promotes a string of MAGA renovations in Washington, including a $400 million White House ballroom and updates to the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, with costs ballooning from an initial $200 million. Senate Republicans are seeking about $1 billion in taxpayer money for security upgrades related to the upgrades. Trump defended the ballooning costs on Truth Social, while polls show mixed support for the renovations and a noticeable enthusiasm gap around the projects.
Senate Republicans attach $1 billion in White House security upgrades to a bill funding immigration enforcement, directing funds to the Secret Service for security work on the planned Trump White House ballroom. The move follows a security breach at a White House dinner, with Democrats opposing public funding for the ballroom while the White House says the enhancements are necessary to harden security. The House bill is not yet released and the final use of funds remains unclear amid ongoing legal challenges to the project.
Republicans’ reconciliation bill adds a $1 billion taxpayer-funded security package linked to the White House East Wing ballroom project, reversing Trump’s claim the ballroom would be privately funded; Democrats plan to strip the provision, while supporters argue the funding is needed for Secret Service protection amid ongoing legal challenges and security concerns.
Senate Republicans want $1 billion of taxpayer money in a reconciliation package to fund security upgrades for the East Wing Modernization Project—the White House ballroom—covering above- and below-ground security measures, with a ban on non-security elements. Funds would go to DOJ and DHS through 2029. Trump argues the ballroom will be privately funded and necessary for security, but construction faces legal challenges and broad public opposition.