Breakdown of $1 billion request for Trump's White House ballroom project
Summary
The White House has requested $1 billion to fund renovations to the East Wing, including a large ballroom for President Donald Trump. The funding proposal was shared with Senate Republicans by Secret Service Director Sean Curran but has faced skepticism and opposition from some lawmakers and Democrats.Key Facts
- The $1 billion request covers security improvements, Secret Service training, and construction of a ballroom near the White House.
- The breakdown includes $220 million for White House hardening and $180 million for visitor security screening facilities.
- Other allocations include $175 million each for Secret Service training and protectee enhancements, $150 million for new threats and technology, and $100 million for national event support.
- The funding request followed an assassination attempt on President Trump at a White House event.
- Some Senate Republicans question the cost and impact on the federal deficit.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune supports including the funding in a budget reconciliation process, but it faces a tough path to approval.
- Democrats criticize the proposal, arguing it prioritizes the ballroom over reducing consumer costs.
- The $1 billion is separate from the annual $3.2 billion budget already allocated to the Secret Service.
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