Schumer slams GOP funding for ballroom

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Monday slammed Republicans' proposed $72 billion Homeland Security spending package, which would allot $1 billion to Secret Service security improvements, including those related to President Trump's proposed East Wing ballroom.

"The Republican bill charges American taxpayers $1 billion to build Trump's gilded ballroom, while including $0 to help Americans with rising costs," the New York Democrat said.

Though President Trump originally said he would build the ballroom entirely with donated funds, the project's expansion to include below-ground security features has led the White House to pursue congressional funding. A DC federal judge has said the project would require congressional approval, though an appeals court is still reviewing the case.

GOP lawmakers have supported the ballroom as necessary for the president's safety following attempts on his life at a 2024 campaign rally in Pennsylvania and last month at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington.

Democratic lawmakers have condemned the ballroom project as an expensive vanity project that is out of touch with the nation's needs during an affordability crisis.

"At a time when Americans are struggling to put food on the table, Republicans say 'let 'em eat cake,' and demand American taxpayers build Trump a palace while they're at it," Sen. Schumer said. "This staggering waste of taxpayer dollars has nothing to do with security and everything to do with Trump's ego."

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