ABC News has accessed a summary outlining the White House’s designated allocation of the $1 billion that certain Republicans aim to authorize for President Donald Trump’s East Wing restoration at the White House, encompassing the construction of Trump’s grand ballroom.
The document — shared without further details — was presented by U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran to Senate Republicans during a gathering on Tuesday.
The cost distribution for each designated segment of the project is as follows:
- $220 million for White House reinforcement
- $180 million for White House visitor security screening station
- $175 million for Secret Service instruction
- $175 million for upgrades for Secret Service protectees
- $150 million for emerging dangers and technology
- $100 million for occasions of national importance
Axios initially broke the story.
Construction of the White House ballroom continues adjacent to the White House in Washington, May 12, 2026.Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Shutterstock
Even though the White House has maintained the necessity of the funding following the assassination attempt on Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, Senate Republicans still seemed unconvinced about the $1 billion request after Curran’s presentation.
“He provided us with a list that itemizes the expenditure in greater detail, but … many questions remain,” stated Republican Sen. John Kennedy. “It’s not the sole worry, but one of the primary concerns on our end is increasing the deficit.”
Republican Sen. Jim Justice — commonly a devoted Trump supporter — conveyed to ABC News Capitol Hill Correspondent Jay O’Brien that the project’s expense was “substantial.”
“I struggle to imagine allocating a billion dollars, you know, on security, but I’m not a security professional,” Justice remarked.
Justice indicated that while he backs the construction of the ballroom and even utilizing governmental resources on security, he desires administration representatives to more effectively clarify precisely how the proposed $1 billion would be utilized.
“I’d like to at least observe what that truly entails. You know, what are we accomplishing for a billion dollars, because numerous individuals presently are truly struggling and truly at the end of the day … we shouldn’t expend one additional dollar,” he further stated.
Even though Senate Majority Leader John Thune stands firm that the funding request could be incorporated into the current reconciliation procedure, it encounters a difficult path in securing 50 Republican endorsements.
Additionally, it remains uncertain whether the clause will successfully navigate the Senate’s strict examination procedure. Democrats are predicted to argue before the Senate’s parliamentarian that the spending is unrelated and therefore shouldn’t be permissible for inclusion in a reconciliation bill.
Following the news of Republicans’ intent to incorporate funding for the ballroom becoming public last week, Democrats have consistently criticized the proposal. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer denounced the administration for prioritizing the ballroom over decreasing consumer expenses during a speech on the Senate floor on Wednesday morning.
“During a period when 77% — that’s 77% — of Americans express that Donald Trump’s strategies have amplified their cost of living, Trump and the Senate GOP attempt to push through a bill that would spend a billion taxpayer dollars on an extravagant ballroom and not a single cent on alleviating costs,” Schumer expressed, citing a CNN poll released earlier this week that revealed 77% state that Trump’s policies have elevated the cost of living in their respective community.
“Trump might be attempting to construct a ballroom, but he’s clearly residing in a world of absurdity,” Schumer included.
The $1 billion request supplements the yearly USSS budget, $3.2 billion in FY 2025.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com