Does Grassley's spending bill give Trump $1 billion for the White House ballroom?
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released the Senate Judiciary Committee’s reconciliation bill text that includes a funding provision for security-related features in President Donald Trump‘s proposed White House ballroom.
TL;DR
- Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley released bill text including $1 billion for security enhancements related to the White House East Wing Modernization Project.
- The funding is explicitly for Secret Service security features and prohibits use for non-security aspects of the ballroom.
- Democrats, including Sen. Dick Durbin, have voiced concerns, calling it a "misguided partisan effort" that does not address Americans' economic struggles.
- The debate over the ballroom's security was heightened after a gunman was stopped near the White House.
- President Trump has insisted the ballroom project would be privately funded and has emphasized the need for a secure ballroom, especially after attempted assassinations.
- The bill also includes funding for Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and general Secret Service initiatives.