politics
Trump Requests $1 Billion for White House Security Projects
President Trump has requested $1 billion in federal funds for White House security infrastructure. Democrats in Congress are criticizing the spending on projects including a new ballroom and other capital improvements.
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President Trump has requested an additional $1 billion in federal funds for White House security infrastructure. The request comes as construction continues on a new East Wing ballroom and other projects on the White House grounds.
The ballroom project includes a steel roof described as drone-proof and an underground area six stories deep. The underground space is planned to house a military hospital, research facilities, and meeting rooms. The $400 million ballroom is funded through private donations and the president's own money.
President Trump stated the ballroom is a gift that will not be paid for by taxpayers. He has also ordered construction of a $250 million triumphal arch near the Lincoln Memorial. Additional projects include a $40 million sculpture garden and renovations to a Washington Monument reflecting pool now estimated at $13 million.
Democratic leader Charles E. Schumer said Republicans are fighting to waste billions of dollars on projects taxpayers do not want. Democrats have labeled the GOP as Ballroom Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos Poll found 56 percent of voters did not approve of the ballroom project.
The poll described the ballroom as 90,000 square feet, though the actual size will be 22,000 square feet. The funding request for security infrastructure has given Democrats an opportunity to criticize the spending during the midterm campaign season.
