Senate Republicans have included $1 billion in funding for White House security upgrades related to President Donald Trump's East Wing renovation project in a $70 billion immigration enforcement bill, triggering sharp criticism from Democrats – and resistance from some GOP lawmakers.
The provision, tucked into the reconciliation package by Republicans on the Judiciary Committee, explicitly restricts funds to "security adjustments and upgrades" and prohibits spending on non-security ballroom elements, but the Trump administration has embraced the measure as tacit approval of the president's ballroom project, which Democrats argue amounts to federal funding of the construction, reported MS NOW.
"The authorization may be limited to $1 billion dollars for security," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). "But it could be misinterpreted as ratifying the entire structure, both architecturally and legally."
A federal judge recently halted ballroom construction pending congressional authorization, making the White House likely to cite the funding provision as that approval.
However, cracks are already appearing in Republican support. Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), who backs the ballroom itself, questioned the math: "Throwing a billion dollars at it, when the whole thing costs $400 million, it just kind of seems upside down."
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) announced he opposes any ballroom language in the funding bill, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) noted the project is "already being funded by private donations."
Some Republicans defend the spending on security grounds. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has proposed $400 million for the ballroom, including underground components with security functions, arguing the secure space could have prevented the alleged assassination attempt at last month's White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.
The bill's language remains vague about what qualifies as a security feature, and Trump himself has blurred the distinction, describing the ballroom's "bullet-proof windows about six inches thick" and calling it "the most beautiful ballroom ever built."
Democrats plan aggressive action. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) declared "now everyone gets an up-or-down vote on the ballroom."
The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote next week, with Democratic amendments expected to eliminate or limit the provision. Democrats will then have opportunities during reconciliation review and the subsequent "vote-a-rama" amendment process to challenge the funding.
A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found 56 percent of Americans oppose the ballroom project, including 20 percent of Republicans, and Democratic candidates in competitive districts are using the proposal to argue Republicans are out of touch with voters struggling with affordability issues.
