Senate Republicans remove $1 billion White House security funding from immigration enforcement bill
Senate Republicans decided to drop a $1 billion security funding request from their $70 billion immigration enforcement bill, which included approximately $220 million for Trump's White House East Wing ballroom project. The decision came after opposition from GOP senators citing concerns about optics, timing, cost, and a Senate parliamentarian ruling that the provision violated reconciliation rules. Republicans also faced separate pressure over a $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' designed to compensate Trump allies.
Broad agreement on what happened
Outlets across the spectrum land in roughly the same place: the shared language is highlighted.
“'Billion dollar ballroom just trips right off the tongue,' conservative jokes”CNN CNN LEFT
“GOP weighs scrubbing White House security funding from immigration bill over ballroom controversy”WE Washington Examiner RIGHT
“US Republican senator says Trump ballroom funding removed from spending bill - Reuters” · PBS NewsHour, Politico, Reuters, The Hill