Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project just hit a major roadblock that could reshape the entire effort. Senate officials ruled against a key funding provision, dealing a significant blow to the controversial plan.
White House ballroom project faces funding loss after judges rule
The Senate parliamentarian has struck down security funding for President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project, BBC reported. Elizabeth MacDonough ruled the $1 billion provision out of order on Saturday. Democrats successfully argued that the security money does not belong in the spending package.
Republicans had sought to use a portion of the taxpayer funds for Secret Service security upgrades tied to the East Wing overhaul. The party pushed for the funding after a shooting at a gala Trump attended in April at a hotel. The administration also tried to fast-track the ballroom project following that incident.
MacDonough determined that the provision funds activities beyond the Senate Judiciary Committee’s jurisdiction. She also found it violates the Byrd rule, which prevents extraneous non-budgetary provisions. Democrats had challenged the inclusion under the budget reconciliation process.
“Republicans tried to make taxpayers foot the bill for Trump’s billion-dollar ballroom. Senate Democrats fought back — and blew up their first attempt,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X. He added that Democrats will block any further attempts to fund the project.
Meanwhile, Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon expects Republicans to change the bill “to appease Trump.”
Ryan Wrasse, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, called the process normal. “Redraft. Refine. Resubmit. None of this is abnormal during a Byrd process,” Wrasse wrote on X.
Trump has said private donors will fund the $400 million ballroom itself. Construction crews already tore down the historic East Wing in October for the project. The National Trust for Preservation has sued to block further construction, arguing that changes require congressional approval.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
