U.S. Senate Committee on Judiciary

05/16/2026 | Press release | Archived content

Durbin Statement On Democrats Stopping Republicans’ First Attempt To Include Trump’s Billion Dollar Ballroom In Reconciliation Bill

May 16, 2026

Durbin Statement On Democrats Stopping Republicans' First Attempt To Include Trump's Billion Dollar Ballroom In Reconciliation Bill

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Senate Parliamentarian ruled in favor of Senate Democrats' challenge to Republicans' $1 billion funding proposal for Donald Trump's ballroom in their partisan reconciliation bill:

"It shouldn't take the Senate Parliamentarian ruling Ballroom Republicans out of line for this colossal waste of taxpayer dollars to be stopped, but it's a good first step and we will be ready to keep fighting if they try again.

"Americans are struggling to afford everyday essentials, our country is in an unnecessary war in Iran, and gas prices are soaring. It is time for Republicans to come to their senses and prioritize American families, instead of Donald Trump's vanity billionaire ballroom."

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