House Republicans Divided over Ballroom Security Funding
Johnson said the money would cover Secret Service upgrades, while Democrats called the $1 billion ballroom provision an out-of-touch use of taxpayer funds.
- House Republicans are pushing to pass a budget reconciliation bill by June 1 that includes $1 billion for Secret Service security upgrades, with roughly $220 million allocated for hardening President Donald Trump's ballroom.
- Defending the funding on Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson cited increasing threats to the president, including recent security incidents at the White House Correspondents' dinner, to justify the allocation.
- Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized the spending on Tuesday as "a staggering waste of taxpayer dollars" driven by Trump's ego, while Democrats accused Republicans of being "out of touch."
- Despite Johnson's optimism that the bill is "right on schedule," the $1 billion earmark could be stripped if the Senate parliamentarian finds it violates the Byrd Rule.
- Ballroom construction relies on $400 million in private donations, while the legislation mandates no funds be used for non-security elements and appropriates $70 billion for immigration enforcement.
50 Articles
50 Articles
US Speaker Johnson wants Secret Service funding but noncommittal on Senate bill
Speaker Mike Johnson speaks during a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday pressed for increased funding for the Secret Service, arguing most of the money Senate Republicans included for the agency in their immigration enforcement bill is for security needs, not building a new ballroom at the White House. But the Louisiana Republican added …
Murphy, DeLauro criticize proposed $1B White House ballroom
President Donald Trump wants Congress to spend $1 billion on security for the East Wing of the White House, where the ballroom is being built. There’s bipartisan skepticism, including from Connecticut’s federal delegation. Trump has said the ballroom is needed for state visits and events. He argues the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents’ dinner is further proof that a secure space controlled by White House staff is needed. “This e…
Trump's ballroom in 'serious jeopardy' as Senate rules now expected to kill it before vote
Republicans on Capitol Hill were already starting to get cold feet about including $1 billion in "security" funding for President Donald Trump's White House ballroom project, which has become politically toxic as the economy has continued to slide downhill. But a new report claimed Thursday a way to...
House Republicans divided over ballroom security funding
House Republicans are split over the White House’s proposal to allocate $1 billion in security funding for a new White House ballroom and other Secret Service priorities. GOP lawmakers are looking to include the money in a second reconciliation package focused on funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations. But some moderates have…
The "Security" Case for Trump’s Ballroom: A Win-Win Proposal
Photograph by Nathaniel St. Clair Senate Republicans, the Associated Press reports, plan to give the Secret Service $1 billion for “security upgrades” to president Donald Trump’s (supposedly $400 million, supposedly donation-funded) White House ballroom project. After an assassination attempt outside the Washington Hilton ballroom hosting the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April, Republicans began boosting the ballroom itself as a presid…
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