Some Republicans aren’t sold on $1B price tag for Trump’s ballroom project in party-line GOP bill
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Senate Republicans remain divided over allocating $1 billion in taxpayer funds for President Trump's White House ballroom project after a private briefing by Secret Service Director Sean Curran.
- The proposed funding includes $220 million to harden the White House, $180 million for visitor screening, $175 million for training, and $175 million for Secret Service security enhancements.
- Some GOP senators, including Roger Marshall and John Kennedy, expressed reservations and requested more details, with concerns about adding to the federal deficit.
- Democrats strongly oppose the funding, labeling the ballroom a "vanity project," and plan to push amendments to remove or redirect the money, requiring Republicans to secure nearly unanimous support to pass the bill.
- The ballroom project, initially promised to be privately funded by Trump at $400 million, now faces scrutiny amid polls showing public opposition and skepticism from key Republican senators facing reelection.