By Maribel Velazquez
donald trump He clashed again with the Senate, this time over an issue that mixes security, money and one of his most controversial projects within the White House. People close to the conversation informed Semafor that The president privately expressed his annoyance during a call with the Senate Republican leader, John Thuneafter a congressional judge stopped a key vote related to funding for the Secret Service and the remodeling of the East Wing.
The package promoted by Trump contemplates an additional billion dollars to strengthen security and support immigration operations. However, these resources also include $200 million allocated to the demolition of the East Wing and the construction of a new ballroom, an idea that the president has defended for a long time.
The decision to block the vote fell like a blow inside the White House. The problem was not just the money, but the rules of the Senate. The parliamentarian determined that those funds could not be approved through the budget reconciliation processa mechanism that allows us to avoid filibusters and pass laws with a simple majority.
Republicans seek to save the project
After the legislative brake, the Republicans began to work on a new version of the text to try rescue part of the resources destined for the Secret Service. Still, it’s unclear whether they will be able to maintain funding directly related to the East Wing project and Trump’s ballroom.
The Republican senator Chuck Grassley He acknowledged that there are still doubts within the party about how to justify these expenses before Congress. “There is no doubt that the Secret Service needs improvements,” he declared, although he avoided ensuring that specific funding for the East Wing will survive.
Meanwhile, John Thune admitted that the situation has become a political problem complicated for Republicans, who now seek to keep their senators united without violating strict parliamentary norms.
A White House official stated: “We do not comment on private conversations that may or may not have occurred.” Although the Government avoided confirming the exchange between Trump and Thune, the episode once again demonstrated the influence that the president maintains over Republican negotiations.
Keep reading:
- Trump reveals tentative date for White House Ballroom inauguration
- Trump defends the high cost of the White House ballroom: “It will be magnificent and safe”
- Trump takes advantage of shooting at correspondents’ dinner to push his White House ballroom
