Republicans Split on Funding Trump's White House Ballroom WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s allies are pushing for Congress to fund a costly White House ballroom after the president was evacuated from a dinner Saturday in a sprawling hotel ballroom where a gunman breached a security checkpoint. The incident has sparked debates over whether to use taxpayer money for the project, with Republicans divided and Democrats firmly opposed. On Monday, three Republican senators — Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Katie Britt of Alabama, and Eric Schmitt of Missouri — introduced legislation to provide $400 million to build a new ballroom on the White House grounds. Graham argued the project is a national security measure, emphasizing the need for a secure facility to host presidential events. “This is not about Trump. It’s about the presidency of the United States,” he said, adding that the White House should not be vulnerable to threats. He proposed that the funding could be partially offset with “custom fees” and that private donations should cover non-essential expenses like furnishings. Other Republicans, however, opposed using public funds. Senator Rick Scott of Florida, a Trump ally and fiscal conservative, criticized the plan, noting the U.S. already has $39 trillion in debt. “Maybe we ought to stop spending money,” he said, suggesting the project should be privately funded. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri raised legal questions about whether Congress must approve major renovations to the White House. While he supported private funding over public money, he acknowledged the need for congressional authorization. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky said Trump has already raised private funds and opposed allocating public funds for the full cost.#president_donald_trump #senator_lindsey_graham #senator_katie_britt #senator_eric_schmitt #senator_rick_scott
