"A US Senate official on Saturday removed security funding that could be used for Donald Trump's planned $400m White House ballroom from a massive spending package, Democratic lawmakers said, imperiling Republican efforts to devote taxpayer money to the contentious project. The decision by the Senate's parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, deals a blow to Trump and his administration, which has sought the money for security purposes related to the ballroom."
"Senate Republicans are seeking $1bn in taxpayer funding to the Secret Service for security upgrades, including the ballroom. The parliamentarian interprets Senate rules, including whether legislative provisions are permitted. Trump's fellow Republicans control the Senate, and they still could revise the legislation to try to gain the parliamentarian's approval. If they do not succeed, they may be unable to include the ballroom-related funding in a $72bn spending package they plan to bring to a vote on the Senate floor, with passage expected on a party-line vote with Democrats opposed."
"The bulk of the legislation is devoted to immigration enforcement. The Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, took credit for the ruling after Democrats argued to the parliamentarian that the security money doesn't belong in the bill. Republicans tried to make taxpayers foot the bill for Trump's billion-dollar ballroom, Schumer said on Saturday evening. Senate Democrats fought back and blew up their first attempt."
"Republicans are invoking complex budget rules to secure passage without any Democratic support. Democrats have opposed funding for Trump's signature immigration crackdown absent reforms they have sought since federal immigration agents killed US citizens in separate incidents in Minnesota in January. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority i"
A Senate parliamentarian removed security funding that could be used for a planned $400m White House ballroom. The ruling limits Republican efforts to allocate taxpayer money for Secret Service security upgrades tied to the ballroom. Republicans had sought $1bn in taxpayer funding for security improvements, while Trump said construction would be funded by private donors. The parliamentarian interprets Senate rules on whether provisions are allowed in the spending package. Republicans could revise the legislation to try to obtain approval, but failure could prevent ballroom-related funding from being included in a $72bn package expected to pass on a party-line vote. The legislation focuses largely on immigration enforcement, and Democrats oppose the immigration crackdown funding without reforms they have sought.
#us-senate #white-house-ballroom #secret-service-security-funding #spending-package #immigration-enforcement
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