US Senate Advances Funding Bill Amid Trump Ballroom Dispute
Quick Look
- The US Senate advanced a funding bill for agencies like ICE and Border Patrol, which Democrats opposed including funds for Trump's White House East Wing ballroom project.
- The DOJ also dropped plans for an "anti-weaponization fund" amid criticism.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The US Senate is debating a funding bill for government agencies. A key point of contention is a proposed $1bn for US Secret Service security upgrades related to a new ballroom at the White House East Wing, requested by President Trump. The Department of Justice also proposed an "anti-weaponization fund" that faced criticism.
The $1bn was intended for US Secret Service security upgrades as part of the construction, a request following April's shooting at a gala Trump attended at a hotel.
Trump has argued the new addition is necessary to host official state functions and update security facilities. He repeatedly said it would be funded by private donations.
In a 53-45 vote on Wednesday, senators agreed to move forward on the legislation funding agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. The chamber will now debate the measure and introduce amendments before taking a final vote on it - a saga that is likely to go on for hours, possibly even into Thursday.
If passed, it will then head to the House of Representatives before it can be sent to President Donald Trump for signature.
Democrats have opposed Trump's attempts to build a massive ballroom on the site of the demolished White House East Wing. The decision to strip funds from the immigration bill marks a setback to Trump's plans, though it's unclear how it might impact the construction project.
Progress on the bill, which had stalled for months, was further delayed after Republicans objected to the Department of Justice's attempt to establish an "anti-weaponization fund" to provide $1.8bn to people allegedly harmed by government overreach.
Critics had said the money was a slush fund to pay out to Trump's allies, including the rioters who attacked the US Capitol in 2021 in an attempt to prevent former President Joe Biden from taking office.
Testifying to lawmakers on Tuesday, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that the Department of Justice was dropping its plans to set up the fund, but declined to put it in writing.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Senate will debate the funding measure and introduce amendments.
Very likely · Within hours
The funding bill will head to the House of Representatives.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- How will the stripping of funds from the immigration bill impact the construction project?
- What are the specific details of the "anti-weaponization fund" that was dropped?
- Will the Senate pass the funding bill, and when?
- What are the implications of the DOJ dropping the fund without putting it in writing?
