"A half-dozen senators - including Tillis, Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) - have raised concerns about any funding for the ballroom. Many of them have noted that President Trump insisted the ballroom renovations would be underwritten by private donations."
"Zoom in: Funding for the Secret Service is currently not in the bill after an unfavorable ruling from the Senate parliamentarian Saturday night. GOP leaders are planning to bring the bill to the floor Thursday, after it passes out of committee Wednesday. The bill is subject to a vote-a-rama, giving Democrats an opportunity to offer amendments - including on the ballroom - that could be uncomfortable for Republicans, especially lawmakers who are up for reelection."
"Between the lines: Tillis is fuming over the ouster of incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana's GOP primary - and he's warning that pushing a bill right now would hurt Sen. John Cornyn in Texas' GOP primary runoff next week. Tillis believes Cornyn should be free to campaign in Texas this week instead of being in D.C. for votes."
A group of GOP senators expressed serious concerns about a $72 billion package, focusing on $1 billion allocated to the Secret Service for security upgrades tied to the East Wing ballroom. Several senators said they object to any funding for the ballroom and noted that President Trump previously said the renovations would be paid for through private donations. Funding for the Secret Service is not currently included in the bill after an unfavorable ruling from the Senate parliamentarian. GOP leaders plan to bring the bill to the floor Thursday after it passes out of committee Wednesday, with a vote-a-rama allowing Democrats to offer amendments, including on the ballroom. Tillis is also upset about political developments in Louisiana and warns that pushing the bill now could hurt Cornyn’s Texas primary runoff campaign.
Read at Axios
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