Trump’s White House ballroom funding in jeopardy after Senate ruling, Democrats say
A Senate parliamentarian's ruling has put funding for President Trump's planned White House ballroom at risk by requiring 60 votes for the security-related spending provision to pass. Democrats oppose the use of taxpayer money for the project, calling it an extravagant priority amid rising living costs, while Republicans argue it is necessary for presidential security. The funding is part of a larger $72 billion spending package focused on immigration enforcement, which Republicans aim to pass along party lines.
- ▪The Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, ruled that the ballroom security funding requires 60 votes to pass under Senate rules.
- ▪Senate Republicans are seeking $1 billion in taxpayer funding for Secret Service security upgrades related to the ballroom project.
- ▪Democrats criticize the ballroom as an unnecessary expense, especially as Americans face rising fuel prices due to the Iran war.
- ▪The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit challenging the demolition of the White House's East Wing for the ballroom construction.
- ▪President Trump claims the ballroom will be funded by $400 million in private donations and completed by September 2028.
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Politics Trump’s White House ballroom funding in jeopardy after Senate ruling, Democrats say By Reuters Published May 17, 2026, 2:22 a.m. ET A US Senate official on Saturday removed security funding that could be used for President Trump’s planned White House ballroom from a massive spending package, Democratic lawmakers said, imperiling Republican efforts to devote taxpayer money to the contentious project. The decision by the Senate’s parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, deals a blow to Trump and his administration, which has sought the money for security purposes related to the ballroom. Trump has said the construction of the ballroom would be funded by $400 million in private donations.
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