Senate Republicans Propose $1 Billion for Secret Service Security Upgrades Linked to White House East Wing Project

U.S. Secret Service relating to the East Wing Modernization Project. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley released the legislative text for the proposed GOP partisan border spending package that includes the allocation.

U.S. Hannah Akey, a spokesperson for Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, stated that none of the $1 billion could go to the ballroom itself.

The bill introduced by Sen. Grassley says none of the funds can be spent on non-security elements of the East Wing Modernization Project. The $1 billion would be allocated to Secret Service enhancements, including but not limited to security enhancements, to ensure all presidents, their families and their staffs are adequately protected.

“After three attempted assassinations against the current president, investing in Secret Service is essential,” Hannah Akey said. The Independent reported these details from Grassley’s office. President Donald Trump unilaterally ordered the historic White House East Wing demolished six months before May 2026.

The gigantic structure is being built on the site where the historic White House East Wing stood until it was demolished. He claimed the cost for the ballroom had gone up to $400 million after deep rooted studies and decisions to double the size of the project and build it at a far higher quality than the original proposal.

“The original price was 200 Million Dollars, the double sized, highest quality completed project will be something less than 400 Million Dollars. It will be magnificent, safe, and secure,” President Donald Trump stated. The White House had initially pegged the ballroom cost at $200 million.

Trump’s latest claim about the ballroom project came two days after Sen. Trump and his aides have described the proposed ballroom itself as a massive security feature, citing the use of bullet-resistant glass and drone-proof roof materials.

The East Wing Modernization Project remains the focus of both the funding proposal and the construction dispute. A federal judge named Richard Leon ordered that above-ground work on the project be halted until it receives approval from Congress. Judge Richard Leon's order halting above-ground work is on hold for now.

Last month’s attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner occurred in April 2026. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released last month showed that only 28 percent of respondents supported the idea of a ballroom.