Trump explodes against the Senate for stopping millions for his ballroom
The Senate blocked funds linked to Trump's project and sparked annoyance in the White House
Donald Trump clashed with the Senate again, this time over an issue that mixes security, money and one of his most controversial projects within the White House. People close to the conversation told Semafor that the president privately expressed his annoyance during a call with Senate Republican leader John Thune after a congressional judge stopped a key vote related to funding for the Secret Service and remodeling of the East Wing.
The package promoted by Trump includes an additional billion dollars to strengthen security and support immigration operations. However, these resources also include $200 million for the demolition of the East Wing and the construction of a new ballroom, an idea that the president has long defended.
The decision to block the vote fell like a blow inside the White House. The problem was not just the money, but the rules of the Senate. The parliamentarian determined that these funds could not be approved through the budget conciliation process, a mechanism that allows avoiding filibustering and passing laws with a simple majority.
Republicans seek to save the project
After the legislative brake, Republicans began to work on a new version of the text to try to rescue part of the resources allocated to the Secret Service. Still, it's unclear whether they will be able to maintain funding directly related to the East Wing project and Trump's ballroom.
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley acknowledged that there are still questions within the party about how to justify these expenses before Congress. “There is no doubt that the Secret Service needs improvements,” he declared, although he avoided ensuring that specific funding for the East Wing will survive.
Meanwhile, John Thune admitted that the situation has become a complicated political problem for Republicans, who are now seeking to keep their senators united without violating strict parliamentary rules.
A White House official stated: “We do not comment on private conversations that may or may not have occurred.” Although the Government avoided confirming the exchange between Trump and Thune, the episode once again demonstrated the influence that the president maintains over Republican negotiations.