GOP weighs scrubbing White House security funding from immigration bill over ballroom controversy
Senate Republicans are considering removing funding for White House security from their immigration enforcement bill due to concerns over a ballroom project promised by President Trump. The proposed $1 billion funding includes significant allocations for security upgrades, but GOP members are divided on the optics of using taxpayer money for the project. As discussions continue, the Senate Majority Leader acknowledged challenges in securing enough votes for the controversial funding.
- ▪Senate Republicans are contemplating the removal of $1 billion for White House security funding from an immigration bill.
- ▪Concerns have arisen over the use of taxpayer money for a ballroom project that Trump promised would be privately funded.
- ▪Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that there are challenges in securing the necessary votes for the funding.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Senate Republicans were weighing on Wednesday whether to remove all or part of $1 billion for White House security funding from their $70 billion party-line immigration enforcement bill over concerns about President Donald Trump’s yet-to-be-built East Wing ballroom. The consideration comes amid GOP heartburn over the optics of providing taxpayer money for a project Trump has long promised would be funded through private donors. Over the weekend, the Senate parliamentarian ruled that the provision would need to be rewritten to pass with only a simple majority under the so-called reconciliation process.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Washington Examiner.
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