Senate parliamentarian nixes Trump’s ballroom fund in budget bill
The Senate parliamentarian has rejected a GOP budget bill provision allocating $1 billion for a White House ballroom project championed by former President Donald Trump, citing jurisdictional issues. Elizabeth MacDonough determined the measure improperly includes funding outside the Judiciary Committee's jurisdiction and would require 60 votes to pass, undermining its use of budget reconciliation. The ruling deals a setback to Republicans, who are now revising the bill, though it remains uncertain whether they can overcome the procedural hurdles.
- ▪The Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, ruled that the $1 billion ballroom funding provision must be rewritten due to jurisdictional overreach.
- ▪The bill would now require 60 votes to pass, as it cannot proceed under budget reconciliation due to Byrd Rule violations.
- ▪Senate Republicans are revising the bill, but funding may be excluded if it continues to fall under committees beyond Judiciary and Homeland Security.
- ▪Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley criticized the funding effort as wasteful and inappropriate for taxpayer dollars.
- ▪GOP leadership downplayed the setback, calling the revision process a normal part of the Byrd process.
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Trump administrationSenate parliamentarian nixes Trump’s ballroom fund in budget billThe Senate official said the GOP bill needs to be reworked in order to comply with jurisdictional issues. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00The parliamentarian wrote that the bill would be subject to a 60-vote threshold to pass, meaning it can’t move forward with a simple majority as similar bills advanced using budget reconciliation.Alex Brandon / APShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 17, 2026, 12:16 AM EDTBy Frank Thorp V and Kyla GuilfoilA GOP bill seeking $1 billion for the Secret Service to help finance President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom is in jeopardy as it faces pushback from a top Senate official.
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