Federal funding for Trump’s $400m ballroom in jeopardy after Senate ruling
Proposal to fund $1bn in security additions for White House campus and president’s new ballroom fails to meet procedural rules
TL;DR
- Senate official Elizabeth MacDonough removed security funding for Trump's planned $400m White House ballroom from a spending package.
- This ruling jeopardizes Republican efforts to use taxpayer money for the contentious project.
- Senate Republicans sought $1bn in taxpayer funding for Secret Service security upgrades, including the ballroom.
- Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, argued against the funding, stating it does not belong in the bill.
- Republicans may attempt to revise the legislation to seek the parliamentarian's approval, but Democrats have stated they will oppose it.
- The ballroom project has faced opposition from Democrats due to its cost and Trump's past actions, including the demolition of the White House East Wing.
- A lawsuit by the National Trust for Historic Preservation challenging the demolition was allowed to continue after a court halted construction.