Cassidy on Trump ballroom: ‘I just don’t get it’
Senator Bill Cassidy criticized the White House’s plan to fund a 90,000‑square‑foot ballroom with up to $1 billion, saying the proposal lacks clear cost and environmental details. He joined several Republican senators in opposing the earmark, arguing the project could cost far less or more than the requested amount. Senate leaders indicated the ballroom funding may be removed from the upcoming budget reconciliation package.
- ▪Bill Cassidy said the White House has not provided architectural plans, environmental studies, or engineering details for the proposed ballroom project.
- ▪He questioned why the administration seeks $1 billion after initially estimating the cost at $200 million.
- ▪Other GOP senators, including Rand Paul, Rick Scott, Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and John Curtis, have also expressed opposition to the funding.
- ▪Senate Republican leaders told senators the ballroom money would likely be dropped from the budget reconciliation bill slated for Thursday.
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Senate Cassidy on Trump ballroom: ‘I just don’t get it’ Comments: by Alexander Bolton - 05/21/26 10:44 AM ET Comments: Link copied by Alexander Bolton - 05/21/26 10:44 AM ET Comments: Link copied NOW PLAYING Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) says the White House has done a poor job explaining its plans to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom to Senate Republicans amid its push for Congress to provide up to $1 billion in a budget reconciliation package to help build the ballroom. “I just don’t get it,” Cassidy, who lost his primary race last weekend, told reporters Wednesday when explaining why he’s against a proposed $1 billion earmark for the ballroom and security upgrades around the White House campus.
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