Parliamentarian prompts GOP to rework ballroom funding in immigration bill
Republicans are rewriting a provision in their immigration-enforcement bill to redirect about $1 billion in Secret Service funding toward the White House East Wing ballroom project after a Friday meeting with Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough. The changes aim to keep the measure Byrd-compliant while addressing GOP concerns about taxpayer funding for the ballroom; Democrats say they’ll challenge every new line. Further revisions to the East Wing funding and related homeland provisions are anticipated as lawmakers race to clear the bill by the June deadline.