$1 billion for Trump ballroom security in jeopardy after Senate ruling

WASHINGTON – A Senate official ruled that $1 billion proposed for White House security enhancements tied to President Donald Trump's ballroom project is subject to a 60-vote threshold to pass, not a simple majority, jeopardizing Republican efforts to fast-track the funding.

The White House hoped to get the proposal approved with only the support of Republicans by tacking it onto a larger bill that includes funding for agencies to boost immigration enforcement.

But the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, on May 16 found the ballroom security enhancements must adhere to the so-called Byrd Rule, which prevents senators from using what's known as the budget reconciliation process to pass non-budgetary items. The Senate parliamentarian is a nonpartisan, unelected staff member who serves as a referee on procedures.

Given the complexity of Trump's massive ballroom, the parliamentarian determined the $1 billion in security measures proposed for the Secret Service involves the coordination of several federal agencies and must go through multiple Senate committees, according to Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee.

Senate Democrats celebrated the parliamentarian's ruling but predicted Republicans will try to push the funding through Congress by other legislative means.

"The American people shouldn’t spend a single dime on Trump’s gold-plated ballroom boondoggle," Merkley said. "While we expect Republicans to change this bill to appease Trump, Democrats are prepared to challenge any change to this bill."

Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, meaning they lack the 60 votes necessary to break a potential Democratic filibuster and need multiple Democrats on board.

Ryan Wrasse, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, signaled plans to revise the legislation. "Redraft. Refine. Resubmit. None of this is abnormal during a Byrd process," he said in a post on X.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Republicans say the $1B wouldn't be used on ballroom itself

Trump officials and Republican lawmakers have stressed none of the $1 billion would go to the ballroom itself and would be used on security enhancements that will be largely underneath the 90,000-square foot facility.

The legislation states the money would be used for "security adjustments and upgrades, including within the perimeter of the White House Compound, to support enhancements by the United States Secret Service relating to the East Wing Modernization project, including above-ground and below-ground security features."

The bill says none of the funds can be used on "non-security elements" of the project, a reference to the ballroom, including its construction.

Trump has argued the ballroom is needed to hold large events that currently have to be confined to the White House East Room or outdoors on the South Lawn. Following the April 24 shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Trump and White House officials said the ballroom is crucial for the president's safety to hold large events.

Trump has vowed to use private funds to pay for the estimated $400 million ballroom project.

Even without funding for the security component ‒ and amid legal uncertainty ‒ construction on the ballroom has continued. Two construction cranes are currently on the White House grounds. The ballroom was blocked in March by a federal judge in a case brought by historic preservationists seeking to stop its construction. But the order was later unblocked by a federal appeals court while it considers the case.

Despite Republican attempts to separate the security investments from the ballroom, Democrats have accused Republicans of seeking to use taxpayer dollars to boost what they call a Trump vanity project. Democrats hope to create an uncomfortable vote for some House and Senate Republicans in competitive midterm races.

"Republicans tried to make taxpayers foot the bill for Trump’s billion-dollar ballroom," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. "Senate Democrats fought back — and blew up their first attempt. Now Ballroom Republicans say they’re going back to the drawing board to try again. And Senate Democrats will be ready to stop them again."

Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.