Reed: Americans Don’t Want $1 Billion of Their Tax Dollars Spent on Transforming the White House into a Tacky Palace

WASHINGTON, DC - After months of misleading Americans about the cost of President Trump's unauthorized ballroom project and where the money would come from, Congressional Republicans were finally forced to reveal the truth when they issued their latest budget reconciliation plan: Republicans want U.S taxpayers to pay $1 billion to help President Trump transform the White House - long a symbol of democracy and American leadership - into his personal palace.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed, who previously criticized President Trump for demolishing the East Wing of the White House without the proper permits and authorization, opposes the Republican demand for U.S. taxpayers to pay $1 billion to advance the massive ballroom addition that would overshadow the historic White House. Senator Reed said the architectural and permitting plans for a new White House ballroom should be considered on the merits, follow the law, and go through the exact same process as any other major White House renovation project.

Reed said the ploy highlights Republicans' misplaced priorities and shows they are prioritizing a glitzy ballroom over efforts to address affordability. He also called on Congress to debate and consider the federal funding for the project through regular order, and not try to jam it through on a party-line vote or pretend the money is for 'security' when everyone knows it is about Donald Trump getting what he wants and taxpayers getting nothing but the bill.

"Republicans are trying to stick taxpayers with a $1 billion bill to advance Trump's ballroom fantasies. They are taking away things like Medicaid and Medicare so President Trump can have his vanity project. President Trump comes from a real estate background. He knows full well you can't just build whatever you want without permits and that there is a process for granting them. Still, he tried to do it anyway and now Republicans are trying to jam this through without scrutiny so they can for taxpayers to pay for it," said Senator Reed. "The White House is 'The People's House. It was never meant to be a palace and shouldn't be transformed into one. The president should follow the law and Congress should prioritize affordability issues instead of directing people's tax dollars to an opulent, unpopular ballroom."

Senator Reed noted that architects, fine arts experts, and urban planning officials have all warned of serious design flaws as it stands under current plans, and that adding a structure three times the size of the White House would disrupt the historic property's symmetry and aesthetic.

Last October, President Trump abruptly razed the East Wing of the White House to try to fast track his desire for a new ballroom, without the consent of Congress. To try to skirt the law, he even elevated his 26-year old receptionist, who has no arts experience, to the prestigious arts commission charged with reviewing the project.

A federal judge recently ordered that construction of the ballroom be halted unless it receives approval from Congress. The preliminary injunction came in response to a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which demanded that the project be paused until it passes all necessary reviews and approvals, including those from lawmakers.

In the wake of a thwarted security incident at the White House Correspondent's Dinner last month, which was held at a massive Washington, DC hotel ballroom that sat over 2,400 guests - twice the capacity of the proposed Trump ballroom - President Trump and his supporters have insisted that the White House ballroom is some sort of national security priority.

Senator Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee says: "The East Wing of the White House does not need to be turned into a gaudy ballroom for national security purposes. Full stop."

Reed also pointed out that President Trump just finished hosting King Charles and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom for a successful multi-day event at the White House, complete with a lavish White House State dinner. And just like the 300+ State dinners that have been hosted at the White House since 1874, it took place in a beautiful, secure, and historic setting - proving that the need for a massive new ballroom is far from urgent.

"Look, the president has a lot of power and say over the White House and rightfully so. But even the president doesn't have unilateral authority to just bulldoze it and unilaterally determine what is rebuilt in its place. Congress has a say and I will speak up for working people who are struggling to afford things like food, health care, and housing due to the Trump Administration's reckless policies. President Trump's agenda is making life harder and more expensive for Americans in all fifty states. Congress needs to drive down the cost of living. Republicans need to start working with Democrats to improve the lives of the people we serve. Let's prioritize them and wisely allocate limited tax dollars to areas of greatest need and let the permitting process play out. I think every single member of Congress, and even President Trump himself, knows that $1 billion in U.S. tax dollars could be better spent elsewhere."

During the most recent floor action on the Senate Republican budget resolution, Democrats offered a series of amendments that would help lower costs for working families, including Reed-backed initiatives to lower costs driven by tariffs and the war in Iran; reduce out-of-pocket health care costs; crack down on hedge funds driving up housing costs; and address rising home energy bills. Unfortunately, Senate Republicans blocked every single Democratic amendment.

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