Federal funding for Trump ballroom in trouble after Senate ruling

"Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled on Saturday that the proposed funding, as written in a spending bill, does not comply with the chamber's budget rules, a Democratic lawmaker said. According to the office of Senator Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, MacDonough determined that the security funding could not be passed under the fast-track budget process Republicans are using to avoid needing 60 votes in the Senate. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the chamber, meaning they would struggle to secure enough Democratic backing if the ruling stands."

"Trump had repeatedly said the ballroom itself would be funded through $400m in private donations. But Republicans have sought to include $1bn for the Secret Service to pay for security improvements tied to the ballroom and other planned underground facilities. Democrats have sharply criticised the proposal, describing it as an unnecessary luxury project at a time when many Americans are struggling with the rising cost of living, including higher fuel prices."

"Merkley said Democrats would continue challenging any attempt by Republicans to rewrite the legislation to satisfy Senate rules. The disputed funding is part of a wider $72bn spending package focused largely on immigration enforcement, which Republicans hope to pass without Democratic support. Democrats have opposed additional funding for Trump's immigration policies unless broader reforms are included, especially after incidents in Minnesota in January i"

A Senate Parliamentarian ruled that a proposed $1 billion allocation of public funds for Secret Service security upgrades linked to President Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom does not comply with Senate budget rules. The ruling prevents the funding from being passed through a fast-track process Republicans are using to avoid needing 60 votes. Republicans have sought the security money alongside other planned underground facilities, while Trump has said the ballroom itself would be funded through $400 million in private donations. Democrats criticized the proposal as an unnecessary luxury amid rising costs of living. Democrats plan to continue challenging attempts to rewrite legislation to satisfy Senate rules as Republicans try to pass a broader $72 billion spending package focused on immigration enforcement.

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