A US Senate official on Saturday removed security funding that could be used for Donald Trump’s planned $400 million White House ballroom from a massive spending package, Democratic lawmakers said, imperiling Republican efforts to devote taxpayer money to the contentious project.
Senate Parliamentarian Deals Blow to Trump
The decision by the Senate’s parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, deals a blow to Trump and his administration, which has sought the money for security purposes related to the ballroom. Trump has said construction of the ballroom will be funded by private donors. But Senate Republicans are seeking $1 billion in taxpayer funding to the Secret Service for security upgrades, including the ballroom, even though the bulk of the legislation is devoted to immigration enforcement.
Trump’s congressional allies are invoking complex budget rules to secure passage without any Democratic support. Democrats have opposed funding for Trump’s signature immigration crackdown absent reforms they have sought since federal immigration agents killed US citizens in separate incidents in Minnesota in January.
Republican Response
Ryan Wrasse, a spokesperson for Senate majority leader John Thune, wrote in a post on X that “none of this is abnormal” during the complicated budget process that Republicans are using to try to pass the immigration enforcement and White House security money on a partisan basis. “Redraft. Refine. Resubmit,” Wrasse said in the post.
Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, leaving them short of the 60 votes needed to pass most legislation under the chamber’s rules. Democrats have criticized the ballroom as an expensive and frivolous diversion by Trump at a time when Americans face rising costs such as higher fuel prices.
Other Key Stories
- Cassidy Loses Primary: Republican senator Bill Cassidy lost his primary in Louisiana after Trump intervened to oust him.
- Massie Under Fire: Trump attacked congressman Thomas Massie, who faces a tough primary challenge.
- Reflecting Pool Concerns: Workers racing to turn the reflecting pool blue for Trump may be at risk, a union warns.
- Patel Scrutiny: FBI director Kash Patel faces scrutiny over a snorkeling outing at the USS Arizona memorial.
- Hantavirus Outbreak: The outbreak highlights public health deterioration in the US.
- Prayer Rally: Thousands attended a White House-backed prayer rally on the National Mall.
- Bee Swarm Season: The 2026 bee swarm season started 17 days earlier due to heatwaves.
- Airshow Collision: Two US jets collided and crashed at an airshow in Idaho.
