Senate Republican on Trump ballroom push says U.S. can’t afford it: ‘We have $39 trillion of debt
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is questioning a proposal to use up to $400 million in taxpayer money for a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House, saying the country should be focused on cutting spending instead of adding to the national debt.
Speaking to NBC News on Monday, Scott said he believes the project should be funded privately, not by taxpayers.
“I don’t understand why taxpayer money should be used if private funding is already available,” Scott said. “We’re already sitting on $39 trillion in debt. Maybe it’s time we stop spending so much.”
President Trump had originally planned for the ballroom project — which would replace the current East Wing — to be paid for through private donations.
However, a group of Republican senators led by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is now backing legislation that would provide $400 million in federal funding for the project. The plan also includes an underground military operations space and a Secret Service annex designed for use during national emergencies.
Graham, along with Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), says the cost would be covered through national park visitor fees and customs fees, rather than adding directly to the deficit.
According to Graham, taxpayer money should go toward the security and structural parts of the project, while private donors could help cover decorations and furnishings.
“There will be important military infrastructure underneath, plus a Secret Service annex,” Graham said during a Monday press conference. “Private donations can still be used, but for things like fine china and interior details.”
He also said he spoke with Trump about the proposal on Sunday and that the White House supports the plan.
Senate Republicans pushed for a vote on the bill shortly after a security scare at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday night. A man carrying a shotgun and handgun allegedly tried to enter the Washington Hilton while Trump, Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and several Cabinet members were attending the event.
Secret Service agents stopped the suspect near the ballroom entrance.
Graham argued the incident showed why a secure event space directly on White House grounds is needed.
“A protected meeting space at the White House would make situations like this much safer,” he said. “If a presidential ballroom had been there, I’m convinced that person would never have gotten close.”
