GOP Senators Propose $400 Million Funding for Secure White House Ballroom

Senate Republicans Lindsey Graham, Katie Britt, and Eric Schmitt have announced legislation to allocate $400 million in federal funds for the construction of a White House ballroom. The proposal follows a shooting incident that disrupted the White House Correspondents' Dinner over the weekend, prompting President Donald Trump to call for a more secure venue. The legislation aims to resolve a legal impasse after a federal judge blocked the project earlier this month, citing a lack of Congressional authorization. Proponents argue the facility is vital for national security, suggesting that a dedicated on-site ballroom would prevent the security vulnerabilities associated with off-site venues like the Washington Hilton Hotel. Senator Graham indicated that the project's cost could be offset by customs fees. There are discussions to include the funding within a broader tax and spending bill currently under debate, which also addresses the funding of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) subagencies. The push for the ballroom coincides with a larger budgetary standoff over DHS funding. While the Senate passed a DHS bill in March, House Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked over funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and border patrol, leaving several agencies in a state of shutdown since February.