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Dems push back on $1 billion proposal for White House ballroom security

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Published  May 11, 2026 1:55pm CDT
U.S.
FOX Local
article

A model of the new ballroom is seen on a table during a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on October 22, 2025. (Photo by Salwan Georges/The Washin

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The Brief

    • Democrats have already voiced their opposition to a massive security upgrade proposed by their colleagues in the Senate.
    • Last week, Senate Republicans added $1 billion to a White House security proposal to help pay for President Trump’s ballroom.
    • Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he plans to fight the proposal by pushing the Senate parliamentarian to cut the ballroom security money from the budget bill.

Democrats have already voiced their opposition to a massive security upgrade proposed by their colleagues in the Senate. 

Last week, Senate Republicans added $1 billion to a White House security proposal to help pay for President Trump’s ballroom. 

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he plans to fight the proposal by pushing the Senate parliamentarian to cut the ballroom security money from the budget bill. He also mentioned offering amendments to potentially force Republicans to vote on it. 

Schumer also levied criticisms, citing the Republican-controlled Congress for doing nothing to end the Iran war or "ease the Republican affordability crisis" that is impacting families, according to the Associated Press. 

RELATED: Push for White House ballroom accelerated by Correspondents’ Dinner shooting

GOP seeking $1 billion from taxpayers

The other side:

Initially touted as privately funded, the GOP placed the ballroom security enhancements as part of a $72 billion in legislation for its immigration enforcement-focused reconciliation package.

The backstory:

Republicans have been noticeably distant from the construction project, which was heavily criticized because of the demolition of the East Wing. However, after the recent assassination attempt on President Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, many have come on board to support the measure. 

The ballroom’s construction cost would come up to about $400 million, but no number was given for security costs. 

What they're saying:

"If Republican and Democratic members can take a step back and say this is a real security issue, then maybe it will get done," said Florida representative Mike Haridopolos. "But if Democrats dig in, it’ll be really challenging to pass that, as you can only imagine." 


 

The Source: This story was written with information provided by the Associated Press. This story was reported from Orlando. 


 

U.S.Politics