the Senate parliamentarian after she ruled that Republicans could not include funding for the president’s proposed ballroom project in a major budget package, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Trump reportedly called the South Dakota Republican on Monday to express frustration over the decision. The president has previously said the ballroom would be funded through private donations, but Republicans are now seeking to include roughly $1 billion in Secret Service funding in their filibuster-proof legislation, with about $220 million tied specifically to the East Wing ballroom project.
Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled that the proposal, as currently written, violates the Byrd Rule, which bars non-budget-related provisions from passing through the reconciliation process with a simple majority vote.
Republicans said they plan to revise the proposal in hopes of getting the ballroom funding approved.
Thune declined to discuss private conversations with Trump but made clear he would not consider removing MacDonough.
“We’re going through a process that happens every time there’s a reconciliation bill, and people on both sides get frustrated with the parliamentarian,” Thune said. “That’s been true for years.”
A White House official also declined to comment on any private discussions that may have taken place.
MacDonough did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Republicans are seeking favorable rulings from the parliamentarian on several other parts of the package, including $72 billion in funding for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Thune said negotiations with the parliamentarian are part of the normal legislative process.
“There’s always a back-and-forth,” Thune told reporters. “You listen to the opinions given and then work to find another way to accomplish the goal.”
This is not the first time Trump allies have criticized MacDonough. During earlier reconciliation efforts tied to Trump-backed tax legislation, some Republicans pushed for her removal after she blocked several Medicaid-related provisions. Thune also rejected those calls at the time.
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