Federal funding for Trump’s $400m ballroom in jeopardy after Senate ruling
Summary
A Senate official removed security funding linked to President Trump’s planned $400 million White House ballroom from a large spending bill, threatening Republican efforts to use taxpayer money for the project. Senate Republicans want $1 billion for security upgrades including the ballroom, but Democrats oppose this and have challenged the funding.Key Facts
- The Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, ruled against the security funding for the ballroom in the $72 billion spending bill.
- Republicans control the Senate but need to revise the bill to try to include the funding again.
- Democrats oppose funding the ballroom and are using this issue to criticize Republican spending priorities.
- President Trump has said the ballroom will be paid for by private donors but Republicans seek taxpayer money for security around it.
- The ballroom is meant to modernize White House infrastructure and improve security for events.
- The project required demolition of the White House East Wing, leading to a lawsuit from a historic preservation group.
- Republicans plan to pass the spending bill mainly with their 53-47 Senate majority, without Democratic support.
- Democrats link opposition to the ballroom funding with wider economic concerns Americans face, like rising energy costs.
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