""It's an outrageous betrayal of hardworking families who want lower costs, not a golden ballroom," said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee."
""Republicans are ignoring middle-class needs and funneling money into Trump's ballroom while throwing billions at two lawless agencies," said Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the top Democrat on the Budget Committee."
"The provision explicitly bars spending on 'non-security elements.' Trump had insisted that 'no government funds' would be used in the ballroom's construction."
"Senate Budget Committee chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he'd rather handle it through the normal appropriations process - and made clear he's open to forcing Democrats to go on the record on funding a secure venue for large-scale presidential events."
Republicans included $1 billion for Secret Service security features in the East Wing as part of a $72 billion reconciliation bill. This funding aims to support ICE and Border Patrol through fiscal 2029. Democrats criticized this allocation, arguing it neglects middle-class needs in favor of Trump's ballroom. The provision prohibits spending on non-security elements, and there are concerns that the Senate parliamentarian may remove it before the bill is voted on. Some Republicans advocate for normal appropriations to fund secure venues for presidential events.
Read at Axios
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