Washington, D.C. – Senate Republicans are expected to abandon efforts to include $1 billion for White House ballroom security upgrades in a broader immigration and border security bill after Senate rules officials determined the proposal violated budget reconciliation rules.
The dispute centers on plans tied to President Donald Trump’s long-discussed White House ballroom project. Republicans attempted to classify the funding as Secret Service and security infrastructure spending in hopes of allowing the measure to pass the Senate with a simple majority vote under reconciliation procedures.
However, Senate officials ruled the proposal violated the Byrd Rule, which restricts unrelated policy items from being included in reconciliation legislation.
Trump has argued the ballroom project would improve security and reduce risks tied to holding large events outside the White House complex, referencing recent security concerns at public venues. The proposal’s estimated cost reportedly grew from roughly $200 million to nearly $1 billion.
Democrats strongly criticized the effort, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling the measure a “personal gift” to Trump. Some Republicans also questioned the project’s cost and planning details, including Sen. Bill Cassidy, who noted the absence of finalized architectural plans.
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