Republicans Seek $1 Billion in Taxpayer Money for Trump's White House Ballroom Project as Boyle Pushes Back

Republicans have said that they are moving ahead with a proposal to allocate up to $1 billion to the Secret Service in order to enhance security in Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project. Following last month’s assassination attempt during White House reporters' gala, the Republicans have argued that increased security is important for President Trump.

Reacting to the same, Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, during a conversation with MS NOW said, "No way in h--- I'm voting for $1B of taxpayer money to go to a stupid ballroom".

Erielle Reshef questioned Boyle on Trump's ballroom project and how Democrats are demanding affordability amid increasing gas prices.

To Reshef's question, "What are the plans from Democrats when it comes to easing the pain of Americans out there? Can you outline exactly what your party plans to do?", the congressman said, "Well, let's be clear about a few things. First and foremost, there is no way in h--- I'm voting for $1B of taxpayer money to go to a stupid, unnecessary ballroom that it is nothing but a vanity project for Donald Trump. That's number one."

"Number two, on top of all the other challenges that we discussed with gas prices, let's not forget that later this year, because of the bill that was passed by Republicans last summer, about 15 million Americans are going to begin to lose their health care."

On May 5, Senate Republicans proposed a bill that would allocate $1 billion of taxpayer funds for a White House modernization project, which includes the ballroom.

President Donald Trump had said that the funding for his suggested White House ballroom would come from private contributions, while stressing that it would cost $400 million, as per The Independent.

Earlier White House estimates reportedly placed the project cost at $200 million. Moreover, the $1 billion demand from Senate Republicans is for security enhancements for the Secret Service related to the White House ballroom initiative, instead of the actual construction expenses.

Trump claimed that construction expenses would stay below $400 million, while the $1 billion in taxpayer funding would be for improving the security infrastructure, including reinforced, underground elements.

On Monday, Republican senators faced many questions regarding the proposal, which would use taxpayer money to fund the East Wing project despite Trump claiming that it would only be paid for with private donations.

Reacting to the $1 billion cost, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said the total is “what it costs to protect the President of the United States in a very dangerous time and a dangerous world.” He further added, “Keeping the leader of the free world safe is an expensive proposition. The Secret Service has a job to defend and protect the president, and we need to make sure they have the tools to do it.”

During his conversation with MS NOW, Boyle lamented Trump for the rising gas prices and how the prices could hit $5. Answering if suspending the Federal Gas Tax could give relief to the families, he said, "It's their actions that have caused this problem in the first place. Just two months ago, the national average for a price of a gallon of gas was under $3 a gallon. We are now over $4.50 a gallon. That's a 50 percent increase in just 2 months."

To help Americans cope with increased prices at the pump due to the Iran conflict, the congressman, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer, said that "Trump should support my bill and end this disastrous conflict."