Republicans Aren’t Giving Up on Trump’s $1 Billion Ballroom

Republican leaders are still hopeful they can craft language that will pass muster with the Senate parliamentarian.

Senate Parliamentarian

Senate Republicans are aiming to tweak the language for the White House ballroom security funding so it can pass muster with the Senate parliamentarian. J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Senate Republicans are trying to salvage funding for a new White House ballroom following a parliamentary setback and growing reservations in their midst about the project ahead of the November midterm elections.

The Senate parliamentarian ruled over the weekend that $1 billion intended for Secret Service operations — which includes security funding for new construction at the White House East Wing — violated the chamber’s budget rules.

Republicans have vowed to rework the provision, a top priority for President Donald Trump, to ensure it can pass via a simple majority vote later this week. Meanwhile, Trump on Monday urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to fire the parliamentarian.