Overview
- Senate Republicans inserted about $1 billion for U.S. Secret Service upgrades tied to the planned East Wing ballroom into a larger spending bill using party-line budget rules, following charges that a man tried to assassinate the president at the Correspondents’ dinner.
- Democrats led by Chuck Schumer said they will ask the Senate parliamentarian to strike the provision and will force floor votes to press Republicans on the record.
- Support inside the GOP is uneven, with Rep. Rob Wittman seeking detailed costs, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick opposing any ballroom language, and Sen. Rick Scott noting private donors are already funding construction.
- The White House says the $400 million build will rely on private money, yet it has not provided a security price while court filings describe heavy fortifications, including bomb shelters and a medical facility under the space.
- Preservationists are suing to block the project, and a district judge limited above‑ground work without congressional approval before an appeals court allowed some construction to continue during the case.