Federal funding for Trump's ballroom in jeopardy after Senate ruling

WASHINGTON, D.C., - A U.S. Senate official on Saturday removed security funding that could be used for President Donald ‌Trump's ⁠planned $400 ⁠million White House ballroom from a massive spending package, Democratic lawmakers said, imperiling Republican efforts to devote taxpayer money to the contentious ⁠project.

The ‌decision by the Senate's parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, ⁠deals a blow to Trump and his administration, which has sought the money for security purposes related to the ballroom.

Trump has said construction ‌of the ballroom will be funded by private donors. But ⁠Senate Republicans are seeking $1 billion in taxpayer funding to the Secret Service for security upgrades, including the ballroom.


(Reporting by Nolan McCaskill and David Morgan; Editing by Sergio Non)