East Wing Modernization Project

The US Senate GOP delayed an immigration bill due to a split with President Donald Trump over his proposed $1.776 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund. Senate Republicans sought restrictions on the fund, which aims to support victims of lawfare, as part of a $72 billion package for Homeland Security and Justice. The bill faces challenges in passing before Trump's June 1 deadline, with disagreements over eligibility for financial relief and a separate Secret Service funding allocation.

Senate Republicans have removed a $1 billion Secret Service funding request for President Trump's ballroom project from their immigration enforcement bill due to parliamentary objections and internal GOP opposition. The Senate Parliamentarian ruled the provision violated filibuster rules, and multiple Republican senators publicly and privately opposed including ballroom funding in immigration legislation. The White House had prioritized this language to gain congressional approval for the project, which currently faces legal challenges.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson supports increased Secret Service funding for security upgrades at the White House but avoids committing to the Senate's $72 billion immigration bill until its final version is released. The Senate bill includes $1 billion for security adjustments related to the East Wing Modernization Project, with restrictions against non-security uses.

U.S. Senate Republicans expressed skepticism about the Secret Service's $1 billion funding request, citing insufficient details on how the money would be spent. The request includes allocations for security upgrades, training, and a White House visitor screening facility, though some senators raised concerns about a proposed ballroom, with officials clarifying that ballroom security costs make up about 20% of the request.