Senate Republicans have added $1 billion to a roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill to upgrade security for the White House's East Wing "modernization project," sparking political controversy over Trump's new state dining room initiative. The bill, unveiled by Republican leaders of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, aims to significantly increase funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol before the end of Trump's term through a party-line procedure that bypasses lengthy Senate debates. While the newly added $1 billion provision does not explicitly mention Trump's proposed new state dining room, it specifies that funds may be used for above-ground and underground security facilities within the White House compound related to East Wing renovations, supporting Secret Service security needs—and prohibits use for "non-security elements." This arrangement creates tension with Trump’s previous claims that East Wing renovations and the new dining room would be funded by private donations. White House spokespersons said Tuesday that the administration welcomes Congress providing funding for this "long overdue" security project. Trump and Republicans have also intensified their defense of the project following an attempted attack at a recent presidential dinner in Washington last month. Democrats quickly seized on the funding as a point of attack, accusing Republicans of prioritizing more immigration raids and a "Trump banquet hall" while American families struggle with rising bills. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stated this would become part of the Democrats' opposition to the bill and their messaging ahead of the midterm elections. The bill's consideration will force every senator to publicly take a position on a White House construction project that polls show is unpopular.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864416471294985/
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