Some Republicans aren’t sold on $1B price tag for Trump’s ballroom project

CongressSome Republicans aren’t sold on $1B price tag for Trump’s ballroom project in their party-line ICE billSenate Republicans got a closed-door Secret Service briefing on how the proposed taxpayer funds would be spent. Several of them said they still aren’t convinced.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Construction on the new White House ballroom as seen from the Washington Monument last week.Julia Demaree Nikhinson / APShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 12, 2026, 5:28 PM EDTBy Sahil Kapur, Brennan Leach and Frank Thorp VWASHINGTON — After they got a private briefing Tuesday, Senate Republicans remained torn over whether to spend $1 billion in taxpayer funds on President Donald Trump’s ballroom project.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Inside the closed-door lunch meeting, Secret Service Director Sean Curran briefed senators on how the money would be spent.“He walked through the various categories,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters. “So it was a good back-and-forth, a good discussion, and obviously we had a lot of questions that were asked by our colleagues, just to get the details and precision as much as possible about how dollars will be used.”A memo circulated to senators, obtained by NBC News, provided some of those specifics: $220 million to harden the White House complex, $180 million for a visitors screening facility, $175 million for training and another $175 million to enhance security for Secret Service protectees.Some GOP senators emerged from the meeting unconvinced or at least wanting more information before they decide.“I still got some more questions, and they’re going to send us more information,” said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., usually a reliable vote for Trump. “I’m undecided.”Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said he still has “a lot” of questions for the White House about the spending plan. “One of the biggest concerns on our side is adding to th...