Secret Service Requests $1 Billion for Security Upgrades Including $220 Million for White House East Wing

The Secret Service has asked Congress for $1 billion to cover security, technology and training requirements. com, $220 million of the request would support above and below ground hardening of the East Wing Modernization Project at the White House. The remainder of the funds would address other agency priorities.

These include construction of a new White House visitor screening facility, updates to training facilities, improvements for protectee security at high-visibility venues, technology investments in the Special Operations Division and resources for national special security events.

The $220 million allocation would cover bulletproof glass, drone detection technologies, chemical and other threat filtration and detection systems and additional national security features. The agency stated that none of these funds would support non-security improvements at the White House.

The East Wing Modernization Project involves demolition and reconstruction that will include a new 22,000-square-foot ballroom capable of seating 1,000 guests, a new office suite for the first lady and a replacement movie theater. President Trump has previously stated the ballroom project would cost roughly $400 million and be funded through private donations.

Senate Republicans included the $1 billion Secret Service request in a $72 billion budget reconciliation package focused primarily on immigration enforcement. The legislative text describes the funding as supporting security adjustments and upgrades within the White House Compound perimeter for the East Wing project.

Curran attended a Senate Republican conference lunch to explain the agency's planned use of the funds. One senator expressed skepticism about the $1 billion figure prior to the briefing, comparing it to a business proposal lacking supporting data. The spending breakdown provided by the Secret Service includes six categories: $220 million for East Wing security features, $180 million for the visitor screening facility, $175 million for agent training, $175 million for protectee security enhancements, $150 million for Special Operations Division technology and $100 million for national special security events.

The clarification comes after attention focused on the overlap between the requested funds and the ballroom construction project.