Democrats rage at GOP push for Trump ballroom security funds
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President Trump shows reporters a rendering of the proposed East Wing modernization aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md., on March 29. Photo: Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images
A Republican proposal to spend $1 billion on security measures for the White House ballroom President Trump is building sent House Democrats into a frenzy on Tuesday.
Why it matters: To many lawmakers, it's a grim display of how far Republicans have gone in subordinating Congress' prerogatives to the executive branch.
- "Their political castration is complete," Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) told Axios. "They're sending Trump $1 billion to build a gilded room for their balls."
- "People are not happy," a senior House Democrat told Axios, speaking on the condition of anonymity to relay details of private discussions.
Driving the news: Senate Judiciary Committee chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Monday released the text of a proposed $82 billion reconciliation package to fund federal law enforcement.
- The legislation includes $1 billion to "support enhancements by the United States Secret Service relating to the East Wing Modernization Project."
- Grassley's office stressed that the money can only be used to secure the ballroom, with his spokesperson noting that the legislative text specifically prohibits the use of the funds for "non-security elements" of the project.
Democrats aren't buying that. Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.) told Axios: "The economy in NV is tanking, gas prices are going through the roof ... and Republicans are throwing down $1 Billion for Trump's ballroom."
- "If we had a different [president] we wouldn't need the security measures that they're proposing," fumed Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.). "In fact, if he just stayed in the White House, we wouldn't need the security measures."
- The $1 billion, he said, "would be better spent on healthcare, nutrition for children, and housing and the cost of food and utilities."
Between the lines: Many lawmakers pointed to the fact that Trump repeatedly said the ballroom would be funded entirely through contributions from donors.
- The shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner last month, however, spurred some Republicans to argue that the ballroom was all the more vital for security purposes and should be fast-tracked.
Reality check: Republicans won't need Democratic support to pass this bill.
- They're moving it under a process known as budget reconciliation, which allows lawmakers to bypass the Senate's 60-vote filibuster threshold as long as the parliamentarian signs off.
- The Republican-controlled House only needs a simple majority to pass it as well — though their tight vote margins could be an issue.
What's next: The senior House Democrat said their party "will do everything to fight it and tie [it] around Republicans when they vote."
