Democrats vow to fight $1 billion Senate security proposal for White House ballroom

Senate Democrats are vowing to fight a $1 billion White House security proposal that Republicans have included in a spending bill. This proposal is intended to fund security upgrades for a new White House ballroom, a project championed by President Donald Trump. The security funding was added to a bill that also aims to restore funding for immigration enforcement agencies, which Democrats have previously blocked. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the Republican plan, calling it a "deficit-busting, party-line bill" that prioritizes the ballroom security over other pressing issues. Democrats plan to challenge the proposal by urging the Senate parliamentarian to remove the ballroom security money and by forcing Republicans to vote on amendments related to it. The exact level of Republican support for the security proposal remains uncertain, with some lawmakers expressing a need for more details before committing. The White House has praised the inclusion of the funds, stating they are necessary for the Secret Service to adequately protect the complex. The proposed ballroom project is described as heavily fortified, including bomb shelters and military installations. However, the project faces opposition, including a lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.