Donald Trump's plans for an upgraded presidential ballroom have suffered another setback after his $1 billion Secret Service funding proposal was blocked. The spending plans were rejected as they failed to meet procedural rules, according to the Senate parliamentarian, whose job it is to enforce Senate procedures.
Republicans' Budget Bill Stalled
Republicans had hoped to include plans for security upgrades to the White House as part of a larger bill focused on immigration enforcement agencies. But the parliamentarian's ruling late Saturday said that funding for a project as large and complex as the ballroom renovation is too broad to be included in the narrow GOP budget bill, which cannot be filibustered and only needs a simple majority to pass.
It is unclear if Republicans will be able to immediately salvage any part of the billion-dollar Secret Service proposal, which would fund security for Trump's ballroom along with other parts of the White House, including a new visitor screening center, additional training for agents, and extra reinforcements for large events.
Republicans Vow to Revise Legislation
Republicans said Saturday night that they are revising the legislation based on the parliamentarian's advice. Ryan Wrasse, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, wrote in a post on X that 'none of this is abnormal.' 'Redraft. Refine. Resubmit,' Wrasse said.
Democrats Criticize 'Vanity' Project
Democrats have seized on the security request, accusing Republicans of focusing precious federal resources on 'vanity' projects instead of helping Americans with the rising cost of living. Republicans have insisted that private donations will be used to build the ballroom and that federal dollars are focused solely on much-needed security enhancements.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer took credit for the ruling after Democrats argued to the parliamentarian that the security money does not belong in the bill. 'Republicans tried to make taxpayers foot the bill for Trump's billion-dollar ballroom,' Schumer said Saturday evening. 'Senate Democrats fought back - and blew up their first attempt.' Schumer added that Democrats 'will be ready to stop them again' as Republicans say they will revise the bill.
Parliamentarian's Advisory Ruling
The Senate parliamentarian's ruling is only advisory, but such rulings are rarely if ever ignored when lawmakers put together legislation that can pass with a simple majority. Most bills are subject to a filibuster and thus need 60 votes for passage - meaning Republicans must find some Democratic support in the 53-47 Senate.
Republicans are looking to approve a roughly $72 billion package to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection until the end of Trump's term after Democrats have blocked the money for months. As part of that package, Republicans included $1 billion for White House security enhancements, part of it connected to Trump's new ballroom.
Secret Service Request After Assassination Attempt
The Secret Service requested the money after a man was charged with trying to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner last month. The president also pointed to the shooting as justification for his plans for a fortified 90,000sq ft ballroom. 'This event would never have happened with the Militarily Top Secret Ballroom currently under construction at the White House. It cannot be built fast enough!' he wrote on social media.
A federal judge had previously issued orders blocking the ballroom's construction, stating that Trump was exceeding his power. But on April 17, an appeals court allowed the construction to keep going while the case goes through court.
Immigration Funding and Broader Context
The overall budget package is providing another boost of funding for Trump's immigration and deportation agenda, fueling operations through September 2029 – a point of contention earlier this year that shut down the government for 76 days. It comes on top of ICE and Border Patrol funds Congress provided last year in the big tax breaks bill Trump signed into law.
The parliamentarian kept most of the immigration portion of the legislation intact, though some minor provisions were blocked, including Customs and Border Patrol funds to hire, train, and pay Border Patrol agents. Republicans said those were only technical fixes.
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, said Saturday evening that 'Democrats are prepared to challenge any change to this bill.' Americans shouldn't spend 'a single dime' on Trump's 'Louis XIV-style ballroom and throw tens of billions more at two lawless agencies,' Merkley said. The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.
