Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) on Monday opened the door to negotiations over President Trump's proposed $400 million, 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom, telling NewsNation's Blake Burman that lawmakers "can discuss" the project's merits. The renewed push comes after a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, which Trump and his allies have cited as evidence that a larger, more secure venue is needed.
"Do we need a ballroom? Well, that we can discuss that, what it looks like and all of that," Rosen said. "This isn't about Donald Trump. It is really about safety." She stressed that while it's impossible to "harden each and every" event, officials should aim to make gatherings "as safe as possible." However, she pushed back on the notion that a single ballroom would solve broader security challenges: "One ballroom isn't the answer to this."
Rosen's main objection centers on process. She blasted the demolition of the East Wing—which housed the first lady's office and other staff spaces—without proper congressional review. "What I object to is it didn't go through any of those processes before the demolition," she said. "What was lost in that demolition that should have been preserved for history? This isn't the first time we've made changes. It won't be the last. But we need to go through the process."
Trump, speaking to reporters minutes after the Saturday shooting, argued the ballroom is essential for security. "I didn't want to say this but this is why we have to have all of the attributes of what we're planning at the White House," he said. "It's actually a larger room, and it's much more secure." The president and his legal team have previously contended that construction must continue for national security reasons.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close Trump ally, is leading the legislative charge. His bill would authorize the ballroom's construction and include underground infrastructure for the Secret Service. "It's very difficult to have a bunch of important people in the same place unless it's really, really secure," Graham said Monday. "The times in which we live are unusual. I've been up here for a while now, I've never felt the sense of threat that exists today." He plans to ask Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to expedite a floor vote.
The proposal has drawn mixed reactions even within the GOP. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) pushed back, telling NBC News the project should be privately funded. "We have $39 trillion in debt," he said. "Maybe we ought to stop spending money." Meanwhile, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has urged Democrats to support the ballroom, breaking with party opposition. Graham said he has not yet formally pitched the bill to Democrats.
Rosen's cautious openness underscores a broader debate over security versus spending, as the White House and congressional Republicans press for a rapid approval. For more on the political dynamics, see our coverage of Graham's leadership on the ballroom push and the sharp criticism from other Democrats.
