White House security funding: Senate Republicans expected to drop USD 1 billion proposal

Republican leaders in the US Senate were expected to drop a plan for about USD 1 billion in new security funding for the White House complex and President Donald Trumps ballroom. The move came after objections from within the party. The funding had been considered for addition to a broader bill that focused on immigration enforcement agencies.

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Republicans, under pressure from the White House, tried to attach the security package to a roughly USD 70 billion measure. That bill aimed to restore funding for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol. Some GOP lawmakers questioned the timing, the price tag, and the purpose of the spending.

Senate Republicans face votes test on immigration enforcement bill

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said on Wednesday that leaders still faced vote problems. Republicans were checking support and reviewing what Senate rules would allow in the legislation. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., told reporters the bill was back to square one without the security money.

Thune wanted the Senate to pass the bill within the week. Thune planned to send it to the House before a weeklong Memorial Day recess. The bill text had not yet been released. Leaders were still arguing over the security plan and newer worries tied to a settlement fund.

Senate Republicans weigh limits for Trump settlement fund

Republican senators were set to meet acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Thursday morning. The meeting was to finalise text and decide whether to limit the Trump administrations USD 1.776 billion settlement fund. The fund was designed to compensate Trumps allies who believe they have been politically persecuted.

Thune said Wednesday, "Theres always a consequence with taking on United States senators.\" Thune added, \"The president obviously has his favourites and people he wants to endorse and thats his prerogative.\" Thune also said, \"But what we have to deal with up here is moving the agenda, and obviously that can become slightly more complicated.\"

The settlement included an anti-weaponisation fund linked to a deal resolving Trumps lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. The lawsuit related to the leak of his tax returns. Democrats said they would force votes to block the fund or restrict it. The dispute became a major hurdle in the bill.

Democrats had leverage because Republicans were using a budget method that triggers many amendment votes. Democrats were looking at amendments to block the fund or restrict payments. Some proposals aimed to bar compensation for Trump supporters who harmed law enforcement officers on January 6, 2021.

Because more Republicans voiced doubts, Democratic amendments could pass. Two people familiar with private talks said Republicans discussed their own late changes. The idea was to add limits on the settlement and who could qualify. The people asked for anonymity to discuss the talks.

Thune said Tuesday that he was not a big fan of the settlement and did not see its purpose. On Wednesday, Thune said any limiting language was still being drafted. It was not clear how House Republicans would respond. Some House Republicans also criticised the settlement plan.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Wednesday that the House would pass the bill in whatever form it arrives. The comment came as Senate Republicans tried to avoid internal splits. Democrats also criticised the effort as misplaced spending. Democrats cited voter concerns about daily costs.

Senate Republicans question Secret Service request for White House security

Under the Secret Service request, about USD 220 million would pay for security upgrades tied to the ballroom. The remaining funds would cover a new visitor screening centre, training, and other steps. Some Republicans said they still lacked enough detail to justify the request.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said adding the security package was a bad idea. Tillis said the bill should not have carried other security upgrades. Tillis said it risked turning the debate into a fight over a ballroom cost. Other Republicans echoed concerns after a Secret Service briefing.

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy said, \"People cant afford groceries and gasoline and healthcare, and were going to do a billion dollars for a ballroom?\" Cassidy had lost reelection in a GOP primary on Saturday. That followed Trumps endorsement of one of Cassidys opponents.

Despite the security setback, the bill still carried money for ICE and the Border Patrol. Democrats had blocked that funding for months, opposing the Trump administrations immigration enforcement crackdown. Democrats pushed for agency reforms. Talks with the White House made little headway, leaving positions far apart.

Republicans were using reconciliation to fund the agencies through the end of Trumps term. The same process helped pass Trumps tax and spending cuts bill last year. Reconciliation needs only a simple majority and no Democratic votes. Still, it requires the parliamentarians approval and full Republican unity.

Thune said, \"Were working on it,\" as Thune left the Capitol on Wednesday evening. The bill remained unfinished as leaders managed disputes over security spending and the settlement fund. Senate Republicans also weighed the political effects of Trumps endorsements, including in the Texas primary runoff.

With inputs from PTI