GOP drops Trump ballroom security money from immigration bill
Senate Republicans released updated legislative text for the SECURE America Act and removed about $1 billion in Secret Service security funding-money originally intended for the White house and president Donald Trump’s planned East Wing ballroom-from their broader immigration enforcement bill. They also cut additional Justice Department funding.
The change is aimed at addressing concerns about the optics of taxpayers paying roughly $220 million for ballroom security and about whether the funding fit Senate reconciliation rules, which Republicans are using to move the bill while largely bypassing Democrats.
The updated measure keeps roughly $70 billion to fund federal immigration agencies and the Department of Homeland Security through 2029, after Democrats previously blocked similar funding in earlier government funding legislation. Republicans say the bill is necessary to ensure DHS funding isn’t “held hostage” by Democrats and to protect public safety. While the measure could reach final passage as soon as Thursday, GOP senators still anticipate a lengthy amendment process and may require additional changes, including provisions to prevent Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund.”
Senate Republicans removed $1 billion in Secret Service security funding for the White House and President Donald Trump’s yet-to-be-built East Wing ballroom from the party’s immigration enforcement bill, according to new legislative text released Wednesday.
The move was in response to Republican opposition over the optics of taxpayers footing the $220 million bill for ballroom security and the Senate parliamentarian’s determination that the funding did not comply with rules of reconciliation, the filibuster-skirting process the party is using to bypass Democrats.
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The updated text, released by the Senate Judiciary Committee ahead of a procedural vote Wednesday afternoon to advance the bill, also removed additional funding for the Justice Department.
The roughly $70 billion measure centers on funding federal immigration agencies and the Department of Homeland Security through 2029 after Democrats blocked money for the agencies in government funding legislation earlier this year to protest Trump’s deportation agenda. It is known as the SECURE America Act.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said the bill ensures DHS funding can no longer be “held hostage by Democrats’ radical leftist agenda.”
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“Democrats broke the appropriations process because they want to reopen the southern border, defund federal law enforcement and leave American communities vulnerable to violent criminals, potential terrorists, illicit drugs and deadly contraband,” Grassley said in a statement. “Republicans’ top priority is to provide for the public safety and security of American citizens.”
Republicans could advance to final passage as soon as Thursday, but not before a marathon amendment session and more possible changes to the bill that GOP senators say they require to support it, including language to block Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” that the administration vows it is no longer pursuing.
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