Secret Service briefing fails to quiet GOP ballroom funding concerns

"The document given to Senate Republicans and obtained by POLITICO specifies that $220 million of the funding would go toward the ballroom project. That money, according to the document, would be used for "investments in the above and below ground hardening requirements of the East Wing Modernization Project," including bulletproof glass and other security upgrades."

""Importantly, as the legislative text makes explicit, none of these funds will be used to support non-security improvements at the White House," the document adds. The rest of the $1 billion in funding would go toward several other priorities, including a new White House visitor screening facility, better protection for federal officials and Secret Service officer training."

"Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted that most of the $1 billion is "going to be used for other purposes - training facilities or technology, lots of other things that law enforcement ... needs to ensure that they keep our president and other top officials safe." He can lose three up GOP senators on the expected party-line vote, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a possible tie."

""I think they'll probably have to come out with more detail," said Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), a Trump ally. "Bottom line is, people want to be supportive. They want security for the president. But they wa"

A $1 billion Secret Service funding allocation includes $220 million for the East Wing Modernization Project. The funds would support investments in above- and below-ground hardening requirements, including bulletproof glass and other security upgrades. The legislative text states that none of the funds will be used for non-security improvements at the White House. The remaining funding supports priorities such as a new White House visitor screening facility, improved protection for federal officials, and Secret Service officer training. The funding is part of a broader immigration enforcement package exceeding $70 billion, but the Secret Service portion tied to White House renovation is creating concerns among GOP leaders seeking quick passage.

Read at POLITICO