A $1 billion bill aimed at funding security measures for the White House and President Donald Trump's new ballroom has encountered a significant obstacle in the Senate. The Senate Parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, has advised that the proposed legislation requires 60 votes to pass, rather than a simple majority, according to Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee. Republicans, holding only 53 seats, cannot meet this filibuster threshold.
Republican Response and Revision Plans
Republicans are currently in discussions with the parliamentarian and are revising the legislation. Senate Judiciary Republicans issued a statement on Saturday noting that "technical adjustments are a standard part of the budget reconciliation process." Ryan Wrasse, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, wrote on X that "none of this is abnormal" and that Republicans are planning to "Redraft. Refine. Resubmit."
Democratic Opposition
Senator Merkley argued that American taxpayers "shouldn't spend a single dime on Trump's gold-plated ballroom boondoggle." He added, "While we expect Republicans to change this bill to appease Trump, Democrats are prepared to challenge any change to this bill. We cannot let Republicans waste our national treasure on a mission of chaos and corruption while turning a blind eye to the needs of the American people."
Details of the Funding Proposal
The proposal includes $220 million for the White House complex, with $180 million allocated for a visitor screening facility, $175 million for training, and another $175 million for the Secret Service, according to a memo obtained by NBC News. The ballroom project was initially described by Trump as privately funded. The provision is part of a broader Republican spending package that also includes funding for Homeland Security.
Parliamentarian's Concerns
MacDonough informed Senate offices on Saturday that "a project as complex and large in scale as Trump's proposed ballroom necessarily involves the coordination of many government agencies which span the jurisdiction of many Senate committees. As drafted, the provision inappropriately funds activities outside the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee."
Secret Service and White House Perspectives
Earlier this month, Secret Service Director Sean Curran told lawmakers that $220 million of the $1 billion bill would be used for security measures related to Trump's ballroom, with the remainder going toward other projects such as agent training and visitor screening. The White House has praised the provision, stating it will fund necessary "security infrastructure upgrades." White House spokesperson Davis Ingle told NPR, "The White House applauds Congress's latest proposal in its reconciliation package which includes additional funding for security infrastructure upgrades in relation to the long overdue East Wing Modernization Project. Due in part to the recent assassination attempt on President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, the proposal would provide the United States Secret Service with the resources they need to fully and completely harden the White House complex." The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.
