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

The bill to fund immigration agencies has been delayed by opposition to Trump's 'anti-weaponisation fund'. Senate advances funding bill after Republicans cut $1bn for White House ballroom Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Construction at the White House, with the ballroom project seen on the right Senate Republicans axe $1bn for Trump's new White House ballroom The US Senate has voted to advance a stalled immigration spending bill after Republicans removed $1bn (£745m) in funding for President Donald Trump's new White House ballroom. The $1bn was intended for US Secret Service security upgrades as part of the construction, a request following April's shooting at a gala Trump attended at a hotel. Trump has argued the new addition is necessary to host official state functions and update security facilities. He repeatedly said it would be funded by private donations. The reconciliation bill will provide roughly $72bn for immigration agencies, and Democrats had argued the security funds shouldn't be attached. The Senate rule-keeper agreed. In a 53-45 vote on Wednesday, senators agreed to move forward on the legislation funding agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. The chamber will now debate the measure and introduce amendments before taking a final vote on it - a saga that is likely to go on for hours, possibly even into Thursday. If passed, it will then head to the House of Representatives before it can be sent to President Donald Trump for signature. Democrats have opposed Trump's attempts to build a massive ballroom on the site of the demolished White House East Wing. The decision to strip funds from the immigration bill marks a setback to Trump's plans, though it's unclear how it might impact the construction project. Progress on the bill, which had stalled for months, was further delayed after Republicans objected to the Department of Justice's attempt to establish an "anti-weaponisation fund" to provide $1.8bn to people allegedly harmed by government overreach. Progress on the bill, which had stalled for months, was further delayed after Republicans objected to the Department of Justice's attempt to establish an to provide $1.8bn to people allegedly harmed by government overreach. Critics had said the money was a slush fund to pay out to Trump's allies, including the rioters who attacked the US Capitol in 2021 in an attempt to prevent former President Joe Biden from taking office. Testifying to lawmakers on Tuesday, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that the Department of Justice was dropping its plans to set up the fund, but declined to put it in writing. But speaking to reporters later, Trump suggested the plan was not entirely dead, saying he would "have to ask the lawyers". Republican North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis said he plans to introduce legislation that would ban the creation of such a fund. Other Republicans have also harshly criticised the proposed fund, and Democrats have said they also plan to create laws that would block it. A thin, grey banner promoting the US Politics Unspun newsletter. On the right, there is an image of North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher, wearing a blue suit and shirt and grey tie. Behind him is a visualisation of the Capitol Building on vertical red, grey and blue stripes. The banner reads: "The newsletter that cuts through the noise.” Trump is at the podium and speaking while wearing a dark blue suit and bright blue tie. To his right and behind him is Todd Blanche who is wearing a dark suit and indigo tie The end of Trump's 'anti-weaponisation' fund is another sign Republicans are fighting back In the 215-208 vote, four Republicans joined Democrats to pass the measure, which had failed in three previous attempts. Israel's PM laughed off reports of friction, but he has tested the patience of other US presidents. The $1.8bn fund would have paid people the Trump administration decided were unjustly and politically targeted. Some wore matching suits and others carried identical green bags as they landed, just days before the tournament kicks off. Iran says the attack on Kuwait was in retaliation for earlier US strikes on an Iranian oil tanker and island. The rideshare company's annual Lost & Found Index also reveals America's most forgetful city, and the most forgetful day. A UFC fight on the White House lawn is among a range of events planned to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America's founding. Two hostages were released on Tuesday, and the remaining hostages released on Wednesday were unharmed, police said.