Trump White House ballroom funding has hit a roadblock after Senate Republicans pulled $1bn (£745m) earmarked for the project from a stalled immigration spending bill, clearing the way for the legislation to finally move forward.

The money had been set aside for Secret Service security upgrades tied to the ballroom’s construction. The request followed an April shooting at a gala Trump attended at a hotel, which heightened concerns about protective measures at official events.

Why Trump Wants the Ballroom

Trump has defended the addition as essential for hosting state functions and modernizing security infrastructure on the grounds. He has repeatedly insisted the project would be paid for through private donations rather than taxpayer money.

Even so, the inclusion of $1bn in federal security funds within the immigration bill drew sharp objections. Democrats argued the security allocation had no place in the legislation, and the Senate’s rule-keeper sided with them, prompting Republicans to remove it.

A Step Forward for the Immigration Bill

With the ballroom money out of the picture, the broader spending package gained traction. In a 53-45 vote on Wednesday, senators agreed to advance the legislation, which directs roughly $72bn toward immigration agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.

The path ahead remains lengthy. Senators will now:

• Debate the measure on the floor
• Introduce and consider amendments
• Hold a final vote, a process likely to stretch for hours and possibly bleed into Thursday

Should it clear the Senate, the bill heads to the House of Representatives before it can reach Trump’s desk for his signature.

A Setback, but Not the End

Democrats have consistently opposed Trump’s push to erect a sprawling ballroom on the footprint of the demolished White House East Wing. Stripping the funds represents a clear blow to those plans, though it remains uncertain how the move will affect the construction effort overall.

The bill itself had been frozen for months. Its progress stalled further when Republicans balked at a separate Justice Department proposal to create an “anti-weaponization fund,” which would have funneled $1.8bn to people who claimed they were harmed by government overreach.

Critics blasted the proposal as a thinly disguised slush fund for Trump’s allies, potentially including those who stormed the US Capitol in 2021 in an effort to block Joe Biden from assuming the presidency.

Lingering Questions Over the Fund

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers on Tuesday that the Justice Department was abandoning the fund, but he notably refused to commit that decision to writing. Later, speaking with reporters, Trump hinted the idea wasn’t entirely buried, saying he would “have to ask the lawyers.”

The controversy has prompted action from both parties. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he intends to introduce legislation banning the creation of any such fund. Other Republicans have voiced strong disapproval as well, and Democrats have signaled they too plan to pursue laws that would block it.