Senate Republicans Drop $1 Billion White House Security Plan
Senate Republicans dropped a $1 billion plan for White House security upgrades. The plan was linked to a new White House ballroom.
Republicans dropped it partly to protect a larger $70 billion immigration bill. A Senate official called a "parliamentarian" also ruled the spending broke budget rules.
The White House said the ruling was the main reason for the removal. Republicans had said the money was for Secret Service security.
That included $220 million to strengthen the White House. It also included $180 million for a visitor screening building.
The Senate Judiciary Committee had added the ballroom funding last month. But it was removed before the immigration bill moved forward.
The Senate then voted along party lines to start debating the immigration bill. That bill would fund enforcement efforts through the end of Trump's term.
Key Terms 4
- parliamentarian A Senate official who rules on whether spending follows budget rules
- party lines All members of one party voted the same way
- Secret Service US government agency that protects the president
- Byrd Rule A budget rule that limits what can be added to certain Senate bills