Senate parliamentarian deals blow to $1 billion security proposal for White House

[dalton99a]

https://apnews.com/article/white-house-ballroom-funding-senate-parliamentarian-republicans-042dc61b41d1163e08ee095e7ffb2e48

Senate parliamentarian deals blow to $1 billion security proposal for White House
By MARY CLARE JALONICK and KEVIN FREKING
Updated 10:15 PM CDT, May 16, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — A proposal to fund $1 billion in security additions for the White House campus and the president’s new ballroom fails to meet procedural rules, according to the Senate parliamentarian, dealing a blow to Republican plans to include it as part of a bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies for the next three years.

The parliamentarian’s ruling, described late Saturday by Senate Democrats, said that funding for a project as large and complex as President Donald Trump’s massive East Wing renovation is too broad to be included in the narrow GOP budget bill, which cannot be filibustered and only needs a simple majority to pass.

It’s unclear if Republicans will be able to immediately salvage any part of the billion-dollar Secret Service proposal, which would fund security for Trump’s ballroom along with other parts of the White House, including a new visitor screening center, additional training for agents and extra reinforcements for large events. Republicans said Saturday night that they are revising the legislation based on the parliamentarian’s advice.

Democrats have seized on the security request, accusing Republicans of dedicating precious federal resources to the ballroom effort instead of focusing on helping Americans with rising costs. Republicans have insisted that private donations will be used to build the ballroom and that the federal dollars are focused just on much-needed security enhancements.

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NEXT: Trump demands prosecution of Senate parliamentarian for treason

[gab13by13]

1. Magats will just change the language in the Bill

and threaten the parliamentarian.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

2. This made me smile

Tough break for the Trump Ballroom

Senate Parliamentarian rules the billion project will require 60 votes for approval, per Senate Budget Cmte Democrats

Very very steep climb

— Scott MacFarlane (@macfarlanenews.bsky.social) 2026-05-17T01:48:10.457Z

[dalton99a]

3. +1

[LetMyPeopleVote]

4. The parliamentarian ruled against language in the GOP's reconciliation bill related to securing the WH ballroom project

Link to tweet