Trending Now - GOP Considers Abandoning $1 Billion Security Funding for Trump

WHO:

ABC News - Republican senators, President Donald Trump, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth MacDonough (Senate parliamentarian), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

WHAT:

ABC News - Senate Republicans are expected to abandon a proposal for $1 billion in security money for the White House complex and Trump’s ballroom after it has failed to win enough party support on Capitol Hill.

ABC News - The proposed security funding includes approximately $220 million for security improvements related to the ballroom, with the remainder allocated for a new screening center for visitors, training, and other security measures.

Alternet - The cost of the ballroom project was initially stated as $400 million, which was to be covered by private donors, but was later increased to $1 billion to be paid by taxpayers.

Alternet - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse explained that the Republicans failed to give reconciliation instructions to relevant committees, which led to the funding package being deemed “defective” and ultimately blocked.

ABC News - Trump stated that the facility will include a military hospital, research facilities, and meeting rooms for military use, and that it is "already down about six stories deep."

ABC News - Trump mentioned that the ballroom's roof will have a “massive drone capacity” and will serve as a drone port to protect Washington, D.C.

ABC News - Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged “ongoing vote issues” and “ongoing parliamentarian issues” as leaders measure Republican support.

ABC News - Trump criticized the Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough for her ruling on the funding proposal, stating that she has been “brutal to Republicans” and called for her replacement.

ABC News - Trump stated, “Republicans play a very soft game compared to the Dumocrats,” urging them to “get smart and tough” or risk losing their jobs.

ABC News - Trump demanded that Senate Republicans fire Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, criticizing her for her decision regarding the funding proposal.

ABC News - Sen. John Kennedy stated that the bill was “back to square one” without the security money because “the votes are not there.”

ABC News - Sen. Thom Tillis described the effort to add the security package to the bill as a “bad idea” and expressed doubt about passing it, even if reduced.

ABC News - Sen. Bill Cassidy questioned the rationale for spending on the ballroom, stating, “People can’t afford groceries and gasoline and healthcare, and we’re going to do a billion dollars for a ballroom?”

ABC News - Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick stated, “We’re gonna kill it,” referring to efforts to eliminate funding for Trump’s controversial projects.

ABC News - Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer stated that Democrats plan to force a vote on Trump’s proposed settlement fund.

ABC News - Two police officers who defended the Capitol during the January 6 attack filed a lawsuit to block payouts from Trump’s proposed settlement fund.

ABC News - Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche did not rule out the possibility that rioters from January 6 could be eligible for compensation from the settlement fund.

ABC News - The text of the bill containing the security funding proposal has not yet been released.

ABC News - Trump’s endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has caused frustration among Republican senators, who believe it could jeopardize their majority in the upcoming elections.