Senate parliamentarian rules against Trump’s White House ballroom funding in budget bill

[mystery-ak]

 Senate parliamentarian rules against Trump’s White House ballroom funding in budget bill
by Ashleigh Fields - 05/17/26 9:31 AM ET

The Senate parliamentarian late Saturday ruled against the $1 billion provision intended to fund President Trump’s White House ballroom in the budget reconciliation package.

The guidance, according to Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) who serves as the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, states that “a project as complex and large in scale as Trump’s proposed ballroom necessarily involves the coordination of many government agencies which span the jurisdiction of many Senate committees,” adding that the funding provision is outside the scope of the Judiciary panel

Earlier this month, the Senate Judiciary Committee as well as the upper chamber’s Homeland Security Committe included funding for the new complex in a budget reconciliation bill for federal immigration enforcement.

According to Merkley, Elizabeth MacDonough, the nonpartisan Senate parliamentarian, said that the ballroom funds violated the Byrd Rule — a strict Senate procedure that prevents non-budgetary “extraneous” provisions from being passed through the budget reconciliation process.

“The Parliamentarian’s advice is based on whether a provision is appropriate for reconciliation and conforms to the limitations of the Byrd Rule; it is not a judgement on the relative merits of a particular policy,” the Saturday statement from Merkley’s office reads, adding that any vote on ballroom funding would be subject to a 60-vote threshold.

Amid the setback for the White House, Ryan Wrasse, who serves as the communications director for Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said the plan is to “Redraft. Refine. Resubmit.”

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5882011-senate-parliamentarian-rejects-trump-white-house-ballroom-funding/

[Idiot]

Senate parliamentarian rules against Trump’s White House ballroom funding in budget bill
by Ashleigh Fields - 05/17/26 9:31 AM ET

The Senate parliamentarian late Saturday ruled against the $1 billion provision intended to fund President Trump’s White House ballroom in the budget reconciliation package.

The guidance, according to Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) who serves as the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, states that “a project as complex and large in scale as Trump’s proposed ballroom necessarily involves the coordination of many government agencies which span the jurisdiction of many Senate committees,” adding that the funding provision is outside the scope of the Judiciary panel

Earlier this month, the Senate Judiciary Committee as well as the upper chamber’s Homeland Security Committe included funding for the new complex in a budget reconciliation bill for federal immigration enforcement.

According to Merkley, Elizabeth MacDonough, the nonpartisan Senate parliamentarian, said that the ballroom funds violated the Byrd Rule — a strict Senate procedure that prevents non-budgetary “extraneous” provisions from being passed through the budget reconciliation process.

“The Parliamentarian’s advice is based on whether a provision is appropriate for reconciliation and conforms to the limitations of the Byrd Rule; it is not a judgement on the relative merits of a particular policy,” the Saturday statement from Merkley’s office reads, adding that any vote on ballroom funding would be subject to a 60-vote threshold.

Amid the setback for the White House, Ryan Wrasse, who serves as the communications director for Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said the plan is to “Redraft. Refine. Resubmit.”

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5882011-senate-parliamentarian-rejects-trump-white-house-ballroom-funding/

What???  I thought this was being paid for entirely with private funding.  A billion dollars!!!

[DCPatriot]

What???  I thought this was being paid for entirely with private funding.  A billion dollars!!!

I would imagine the construction of the Ballroom above ground level is one thing.  The high-tech construction for the below-ground "Situation Rooms" are another.

[Cyber Liberty]

I would imagine the construction of the Ballroom above ground level is one thing.  The high-tech construction for the below-ground "Situation Rooms" are another.

Unfortunately this gives the Democrats a weapon to wield against Trump, and he'll be labeled a "liar."

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Unfortunately this gives the Democrats a weapon to wield against Trump, and he'll be labeled a "liar."

Really not surprising, as the 'non-partison' parliamentarian was appointed by the mosted biased politician ever: Harry Reid.

[Wingnut]

Really not surprising, as the 'non-partison' parliamentarian was appointed by the mosted biased politician ever: Harry Reid.

Harry "Punch Drunk" Reid, the only man known to get TKO'd by a piece of gym equipment.

[Idiot]

I would imagine the construction of the Ballroom above ground level is one thing.  The high-tech construction for the below-ground "Situation Rooms" are another.

Were the underground situation rooms part of the original design?  If indeed the government is paying for this project, then Trump is a liar.  I heard with my own hears Trump saying this is entirely being paid for with private funds and the government was paying for none of it.

[libertybele]

Were the underground situation rooms part of the original design?  If indeed the government is paying for this project, then Trump is a liar.  I heard with my own hears Trump saying this is entirely being paid for with private funds and the government was paying for none of it.

Ok .... Good grief.  Keep things in perspective. Funding got voted down.  The existing ballroom is torn apart - I give Trump credit for not wanting to 'entertain' dignitaries in a tent with porta johns off to to the side, which was an absolute disgrace and embarrassment.

Yes, it was supposed to be funded through donations -- possibly people have donated and the cost exceeds the donations??

I think we have much more important worries with Trump;  mainly Iran and China.  If he's lying about the parameters of the war or his intents with China -- then his lying is very worrisome.  But a ballroom??

[Idiot]

Ok .... Good grief.  Keep things in perspective. Funding got voted down.  The existing ballroom is torn apart - I give Trump credit for not wanting to 'entertain' dignitaries in a tent with porta johns off to to the side, which was an absolute disgrace and embarrassment.

Yes, it was supposed to be funded through donations -- possibly people have donated and the cost exceeds the donations??

I think we have much more important worries with Trump;  mainly Iran and China.  If he's lying about the parameters of the war or his intents with China -- then his lying is very worrisome.  But a ballroom??

A billion dollar ballroom....seriously?  I'm for the ballroom when it's being funded by private donations.  When I'm having to pay for it, not so much.

[Hoodat]

How did the Senate Parliamentarian rule when it came down to using taxpayer money to fund free shit for illegals?

[libertybele]

How did the Senate Parliamentarian rule when it came down to using taxpayer money to fund free shit for illegals?

Great point!

[Smokin Joe]

A billion dollar ballroom....seriously?  I'm for the ballroom when it's being funded by private donations.  When I'm having to pay for it, not so much.

The Billion isn't for the Ballroom, it's for what is going in underneath it.

[Smokin Joe]

How did the Senate Parliamentarian rule when it came down to using taxpayer money to fund free shit for illegals?

>CRICKETS<

[DCPatriot]

The Billion isn't for the Ballroom, it's for what is going in underneath it.

Yes...and it's been explained here at least a half dozen times this week alone!

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Sigh... the optics on arguing about the ballroom is some genuine marie antoinette bullshit...

[Idiot]

Yes...and it's been explained here at least a half dozen times this week alone!

Forgive me for having to work for a living and not reading every post. 

[Fishrrman]

I may be wrong, and welcome correction, but...

... cannot any decision by the Senate "parliamentarian" be over-ruled with a simple majority vote...?

[Fantom]

I may be wrong, and welcome correction, but...

... cannot any decision by the Senate "parliamentarian" be over-ruled with a simple majority vote...?

Yes. Does not even take a vote.. Thune has the authority to overrule it.

[Fantom]

Yes...and it's been explained here at least a half dozen times this week alone!

Yep, but for some... TDS is more imperative than the truth.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Yep, but for some... TDS is more imperative than the truth.

You really need to stop using that as your boogeyman... it was old back when it was Bush derangement syndrome.

[Fantom]

You really need to stop using that as your boogeyman... it was old back when it was Bush derangement syndrome.

Yet it is as real as ever. Today it is a clinical mental illness. Many here have it.. and hate being called out for it.

[Cyber Liberty]

Yet it is as real as ever. Today it is a clinical mental illness. Many here have it.. and hate being called out for it.

It may seem passe, but it is accurate.  It's pointless hatred, to the extreme that it can be classified as psychotic.

[Fantom]

It may seem passe, but it is accurate.  It's pointless hatred, to the extreme that it can be classified as psychotic.

Yes,   

This Simple Bricklayer maxed to Ted Cruz in 2016.. to say I hated Trump is an understatement. I am glad Trump is President not Ted.. President Trump.. warts and all, is the right man for the job needing to be done. History has a way of calling forth such men in dire times.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

It may seem passe, but it is accurate.  It's pointless hatred, to the extreme that it can be classified as psychotic.

You're wrong, Trump is stinking up the whole place.

[Cyber Liberty]

You're wrong, Trump is stinking up the whole place.

You are blaming Trump for the Democrats behavior. Please recalibrate.

[Cyber Liberty]

Yes,   

This Simple Bricklayer maxed to Ted Cruz in 2016.. to say I hated Trump is an understatement. I am glad Trump is President not Ted.. President Trump.. warts and all, is the right man for the job needing to be done. History has a way of calling forth such men in dire times.

I was where you were in 2016.  This is a decade later, and I have recalibrated my position in light of events over the past decade. When I find that when I am wrong, I reconsider. What do others do?   

[Fantom]

I was where you were in 2016.  This is a decade later, and I have recalibrated my position in light of events over the past decade. When I find that when I am wrong, I reconsider. What do others do?   

 


Seethe and fester it would appear..... not healthy.... TDS.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

You are blaming Trump for the Democrats behavior. Please recalibrate.

They're their own brand so suck to be sure, but they're not really in charge now.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

I may be wrong, and welcome correction, but...

... cannot any decision by the Senate "parliamentarian" be over-ruled with a simple majority vote...?

As I understand things, the parliamentarian is an advisor only for the Senate.  Recommendations do not have to be acted upon legally, but there may be a political price involved.

[Smokin Joe]

Sigh... the optics on arguing about the ballroom is some genuine marie antoinette bullshit...

It is the updated/upgraded facilities beneath it that is the bone of contention.

The ballroom on top is funded, but someone decided it would be better on top of security and other facilities rather than thrown on a slab like some tract house.

The "Marie Antoinette bullshit" is so we don't ask foreign heads of State to eat in a tent and use a porta potty when they step out of the tent. Most of us mere mortals aren't really fond of using those plastic shitters (beats a bucket i the boiler house)  , and it may be all-American, but hardly a good reflection on the nation that is the 'Leader of the Free World'.

Get a Democrat in that office before it is built, and they'll find a way to take credit for it.
If it is finished by then, they'll use it and act like it was their idea.

[Timber Rattler]

Wasn't the ballroom supposed to be privately funded in its entirety?  That was Trump's key selling point.  If not, then he's been lying about it all along.

[Smokin Joe]

Wasn't the ballroom supposed to be privately funded in its entirety?  That was Trump's key selling point.  If not, then he's been lying about it all along.

The ballroom is. The stuff that is getting put under it isn't.

[Fantom]

The ballroom is. The stuff that is getting put under it isn't.

Apparently, that is a difficult concept to grasp. 

[Cyber Liberty]

Wasn't the ballroom supposed to be privately funded in its entirety?  That was Trump's key selling point.  If not, then he's been lying about it all along.

Sounds like an Impeachable offence to me.

[Fantom]

[Verse 1]
Well, I'm upper, upper-class, high-society
God's gift to ballroom notoriety
And I always fill my ballroom, the event is never small
The social pages say I've got the biggest balls of all

[Chorus]
Trumps got big balls, Trumps got big balls
They're such big balls, and they're dirty big balls
And he's got big balls and she's got big balls
But Trumps got the biggest balls of them all

 

[Timber Rattler]

Sounds like an Impeachable offence to me.

Well maybe it is if he lied about it.

 

[Wingnut]

Sounds like an Impeachable offence to me.

They got him now. 

[Fantom]

They got him now.

The walls.. the walls are closin' in...LOL.

[Wingnut]

The walls.. the walls are closin' in...LOL.

Yup.  Since 2016.   

[Cyber Liberty]

Well maybe it is if he lied about it.

 

That could be actionable. After all, Trump isn't a Democrat.

[libertybele]

Sounds like an Impeachable offence to me.

With the  DEMS, just about everything Trump does they consider a freakin' impeachable offense.TDS lives deep within that party and with some, he's in their heads 24/7. 

[Bigun]

Yes. Does not even take a vote.. Thune has the authority to overrule it.

Parliamentarians offer advice to the chair. The do not make rulings.

[verga]

 

[mystery-ak]

Senate Parliamentarian Nixes White House Ballroom Funding as GOP Plans Legislative Fix

The Senate parliamentarian late on Saturday night ruled that the Republican proposal to approve $1 billion for the White House ballroom fails to comply with the Senate’s rules; Senate Republicans said they have a fix coming.

Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough advised that the Republican plan to provide $1 billion for President Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom would be subject to a 60-vote threshold if it were to remain in the legislation as is.

Republicans are using budgetary reconciliation to fund the ballroom and the Border Patrol as well as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Using reconciliation would allow the funding package to pass through the Senate with only Republican support.

However, there are strict rules by which the legislation must abide by to ensure it does not violate the Senate’s rules on reconciliation.

Democrats took this ruling as a victory, even though Republicans said they have a fix coming in.

“The American people shouldn’t spend a single dime on Trump’s gold-plated ballroom boondoggle. That’s why in a bill where Republicans are ignoring the needs of working America and instead attempting to funnel a billion dollars into Trump’s Louis XIV-style ballroom and throw tens of billions more at two lawless agencies, Democrats are fighting back,” Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley said in a statement.

“While we expect Republicans to change this bill to appease Trump, Democrats are prepared to challenge any change to this bill. 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.”

Democrats argued that the ballroom funding provision funds projects outside the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee.

Ryan Wrasse, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), said, “Redraft. Refine. Resubmit. None of this is abnormal during a Byrd process.”

more
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/05/18/senate-parliamentarian-nixes-white-house-ballroom-funding-as-gop-plans-legislative-fix/

[mystery-ak]

Report: Trump Calls for Senate Parliamentarian to Be Fired After She Nixes Ballroom Funding Plan

President Donald Trump is calling for the Senate parliamentarian to be fired after she ruled over the weekend that a plan drafted by Republican lawmakers to provide $1 billion in funding for the White House ballroom did not follow the rules.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/05/18/report-trump-calls-senate-parliamentarian-fired-nixes-ballroom-funding-plan/

[DefiantMassRINO]

If Trump wanted taxpayer money for his Big Bad Ball Room, he should have asked Congress for it BEFORE he started demolition and construction.

[Idiot]

If trump wanted taxpayer money for his Big Bad Ball Room, he should have asked Congress for it BEFORE he started demolition and construction.

[Timber Rattler]

Flashback to March 29:

https://rollcall.com/factbase/trump/transcript/donald-trump-press-gaggle-air-force-one-march-29-2026/#11

Question: What's your timeline on this thing?

Answer: Timeline. We're, so we're, uh, ahead of schedule and under budget, and all, uh, of this money, all of the money paid is, are paid by myself and donors, and it's all donors. There's not one dime of government money going into the ballroom. Now the military is building a, a big complex under the ballroom, which has come out recently because of a stupid lawsuit that was filed, but the military's building a massive complex under the ballroom, and that's under construction and we're doing very well.