WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican efforts to secure $1 billion for White House security improvements hit a major roadblock when the Senate parliamentarian determined the proposal violates procedural requirements, preventing its inclusion in a three-year immigration enforcement funding measure.
Senate Democrats announced the parliamentarian’s decision late Saturday, explaining that funding for such an extensive and complicated project as President Donald Trump’s large-scale East Wing renovation exceeds the scope allowed in the narrow GOP budget legislation, which bypasses filibuster rules and requires only a simple majority for approval.
Republicans face uncertainty about whether they can quickly recover any portion of the billion-dollar Secret Service funding request, which was designed to cover security for Trump’s ballroom alongside other White House improvements, including a new visitor screening facility, enhanced agent training and additional support for major events. Republican leaders indicated Saturday evening they are modifying the legislation following the parliamentarian’s guidance.
Ryan Wrasse, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, posted on X that such developments are standard during the intricate budget process Republicans are employing to advance immigration enforcement and White House security funding without bipartisan support.
“Redraft. Refine. Resubmit,” Wrasse said in the post.
Democratic leaders have criticized the security funding request, claiming Republicans are allocating valuable federal money toward the ballroom project rather than addressing Americans’ concerns about increasing living expenses. Republican officials maintain that private contributions will finance the ballroom construction while federal funds target essential security improvements.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., claimed responsibility for the ruling after Democrats challenged the parliamentarian about whether the security funding belonged in the legislation.
“Republicans tried to make taxpayers foot the bill for Trump’s billion-dollar ballroom,” Schumer said Saturday evening. “Senate Democrats fought back — and blew up their first attempt.”
Schumer stated that Democrats “will be ready to stop them again” as Republicans announce plans to revise the bill.
While the Senate parliamentarian’s decision serves as guidance rather than a binding mandate, lawmakers almost never disregard such rulings when crafting legislation eligible for simple majority passage. Standard bills face filibuster procedures requiring 60 votes for approval — forcing Republicans to secure Democratic backing in the 53-47 Senate.
Republicans aim to pass approximately $72 billion in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection through Trump’s term conclusion after Democrats have prevented the funding for several months.
Within that package, Republicans incorporated $1 billion for White House security upgrades, partially linked to Trump’s new ballroom. The Secret Service had sought the funding following charges against a man for attempting to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner last month.
The broader budget package provides additional support for Trump’s immigration and deportation initiatives, maintaining operations through September 2029. This supplements ICE and Border Patrol funding Congress approved last year in the comprehensive tax reduction legislation Trump enacted.
The parliamentarian preserved most immigration-related portions of the legislation, though several minor elements were rejected, including Customs and Border Patrol funds for hiring, training and compensating Border Patrol agents. Republicans characterized these as technical adjustments only.
Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, said Saturday evening that “Democrats are prepared to challenge any change to this bill.”
Americans shouldn’t spend “a single dime” on Trump’s “Louis XIV-style ballroom and throw tens of billions more at two lawless agencies,” Merkley said.
