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Good afternoon, and welcome back to Press Pass, The Bulwark’s guide to Congress, campaigns, and the way Washington works (or fails to work, or just fails). Before you know it, it’s going to be summer, with most of the party primaries settled and the midterm elections in full swing. Embrace the spirit of the season without losing your grip on reality or the political state of play: Grab a free two-week trial for a Bulwark+ membership at the link below.
Today’s edition is about the bill on the Hill that provides $1 billion for the new White House ballroom, which President Trump until recently had insisted would be privately funded. While Senate Republicans claim the sudden need for taxpayer money is simply a result of the ballroom’s unique security requirements, that’s open to interpretation.
We’ll also take a look at the latest state to redraw its congressional maps (yep, there’s another one) and what that will mean for one longtime Democrat in the House. Lastly, the very relatable Pope Leo XIV found himself on a difficult phone call with customer service. We’ve all been there, although perhaps not quite like him. All that and more, below.
The GOP’s New Solution to Fund Trump's Ballroom: Your Money
Plus: Tennessee just approved a new map of congressional districts. This lawmaker’s career might end because of it.
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The Grassley is always greener
When President Donald Trump first floated his plan to build a White House ballroom, which turned out to require a complete demolition of the East Wing, he did so while promising that the new building would go up at no cost to the taxpayer. Putting aside the ethical problems entailed by allowing wealthy CEOs and corporations to donate undisclosed amounts to fund special government projects at the behest of the administration, Trump’s promise was a joke.
Senate Republicans now want to appropriate $1 billion in taxpayer funds for the project, which they are attempting to do by tucking the provision into a new proposal to spend even more money on the president’s mass deportation effort.
The bill, which Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released Monday night, notes that the $1 billion is meant “for the purposes of security adjustments and upgrades, including within the perimeter fence of the White House Compound to support enhancements by the United States Secret Service relating to the East Wing Modernization Project, including above-ground and below-ground security features.”...
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