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Senate Republicans axe $1bn for Trump's new White House ballroom

June 4, 2026

The US Senate voted 53-45 to advance an immigration spending bill worth approximately $72 billion after Republicans agreed to remove $1 billion allocated for constructing a White House ballroom and related Secret Service security improvements. The legislation, which funds agencies like ICE and Border Patrol, had been stalled for months partly due to controversies over the ballroom funding and a proposed $1. 8 billion "anti-weaponisation fund" that critics labeled a slush fund for Trump allies, including January 6 Capitol rioters.

Who is affected

  • President Donald Trump (ballroom construction plans setback)
  • US Secret Service (security upgrade funding removed)
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agencies (recipients of $72bn funding)
  • Democrats and Republicans in Congress (negotiating and voting on the legislation)
  • People allegedly harmed by government overreach (no longer receiving funds from proposed "anti-weaponisation fund")
  • Trump's allies, including January 6, 2021 Capitol rioters (who critics said would benefit from the blocked fund)

What action is being taken

  • The Senate is debating the immigration spending bill and introducing amendments
  • Senator Thom Tillis is introducing legislation to ban creation of an "anti-weaponisation fund"
  • Democrats are creating laws to block the proposed fund
  • The Department of Justice is dropping plans to establish the "anti-weaponisation fund"

Why it matters

  • This legislation represents a significant $72 billion investment in US immigration enforcement agencies during a period of heightened focus on border security and immigration policy. The removal of the ballroom funding demonstrates congressional pushback against mixing presidential pet projects with critical agency funding, while the blocked "anti-weaponisation fund" prevents what critics characterized as potentially improper payments to political allies and Capitol rioters. The bill's advancement after months of stalemate shows bipartisan willingness to fund immigration operations despite disagreements over unrelated provisions.

What's next

  • The Senate will complete debate and take a final vote on the bill (likely extending into Thursday)
  • If passed by the Senate, the bill will move to the House of Representatives for consideration
  • If approved by the House, the legislation will be sent to President Trump for signature
  • Senator Tillis will introduce legislation banning creation of an "anti-weaponisation fund"
  • Democrats will introduce their own blocking legislation regarding the fund

Read full article from source: BBC