House Democrat Seeks to Bar Pentagon Funds for White House Ballroom

A senior House Armed Services Committee member will introduce an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would prevent at least $150 million in Pentagon funds from being used for a White House ballroom. The amendment would bar military money from construction on the site of the former East Wing, which was demolished last year.

"Defense dollars should be spent on our service members, military families, readiness, shipbuilding and replenishing critical munitions—not on a White House ballroom," the lawmaker told The Hill on Tuesday. The same statement said the president should seek another funding source if the project proceeds.

Background on the Project The reconstruction is expected to cost about $600 million and include a ballroom that could host up to 1,000 guests, a drone port on top, and a military facility underneath. The White House awarded a no-bid contract worth up to $500 million to Virginia-based Clark Construction for the work, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

The administration has said the project is needed for security reasons and has moved forward despite lawsuits seeking to stop it. Last month the president requested $1 billion from Congress for security upgrades related to the ballroom.

House leadership canceled remaining votes for the week and began the July 4 recess early after a procedural rule was rejected 198-224. In October the president said the military would be involved in the ballroom construction to ensure the work meets exacting standards.