Senate Blocks Funding for Trump's White House Ballroom
The U.S. Senate's parliamentarian removed security funding intended for a $400 million White House ballroom from a spending package, complicating Republican efforts to allocate taxpayer money for the project. Although Trump claimed that the ballroom construction would be funded by private donors, Republicans sought taxpayer funding for security upgrades.
In a significant development on Saturday, a U.S. Senate official removed funding earmarked for security purposes related to President Donald Trump's proposed $400 million White House ballroom from a major spending bill, Democratic lawmakers reported. This move significantly undermines Republican efforts to secure the contested taxpayer financing for the ballroom project.
The Senate's parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, made the decision that presents a setback to Trump's administration, which had aimed to use the funding to address security concerns tied to the ballroom. President Trump had previously asserted that the construction of the ballroom would rely on private donations rather than taxpayer funds.
Despite Trump's assurances, Senate Republicans pushed for a billion-dollar taxpayer funding allocation to the Secret Service, intending part of the finances for security enhancements, including those for the contentious ballroom. The parliamentarian's action now casts doubt on the future of this projected expenditure.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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