Senate Republicans revise DHS funding plan after parliamentarian blocks White House ballroom security funds

Washington — Senate Republicans are revising part of their plan to fund immigration agencies under the Department of Homeland Security after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that security funds for President Trump's East Wing overhaul violated the Byrd rule.

After Democrats refused for months to fund DHS immigration enforcement agencies, Senate Republicans have been moving ahead with a plan to fund them through the budget reconciliation process. Earlier this month, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees unveiled the text of a $72 billion package to fund immigration enforcement through fiscal year 2029, with the goal of sending the measure to the president by June 1.

In addition to immigration enforcement funds, the package would provide $1 billion to the Secret Service for security adjustments and upgrades, including enhancements tied to the 90,000-square-foot East Wing Modernization Project. Mr. Trump announced the East Wing makeover last July. It includes revamped underground national security and health care facilities along with a ballroom. Republicans say security for the ballroom accounts for about 20 percent of the proposed Secret Service funds.

The parliamentarian determined that the provision funds activities beyond the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee and does not comply with the Byrd rule, Democrats on the Senate Budget Committee said late Saturday.

"While we expect Republicans to change this bill to appease Trump, Democrats are prepared to challenge any change to this bill," said Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, the top Democrat on the committee. "We cannot let Republicans waste our national treasure on a mission of chaos and corruption while turning a blind eye to the needs of the American people."

If the provision remained in the bill, it would face a 60-vote threshold. With 53 Republicans, it would have no chance of passing without changes. A Senate Judiciary Committee spokesperson said conversations and revisions are continuing.

Senate Republicans on the Judiciary Committee said Friday that technical adjustments are a standard part of the budget reconciliation process. Ryan Wrasse, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, said revisions and conversations were ongoing.

"Redraft. Refine. Resubmit. None of this is abnormal during a Byrd process," Wrasse said.

The provision has created political hurdles for Republicans in competitive races ahead of November's elections. While the legislation states that none of the funds may be used for non-security elements of the ballroom, Democrats have pointed to the funds as evidence of GOP support for the project.

The development followed the parliamentarian's earlier ruling that several other provisions in the package violated the Byrd rule and would require 60 votes.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement late Saturday that Democrats will keep fighting the measure in the Byrd process, on the Senate floor, and anywhere else Republicans try to use the funds for the White House project.