Story perspectives

GOP proposes $400M White House ballroom security fund amid opposition.

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Senate Republicans introduced a $400 million bill to build a secure White House ballroom after a gunman attacked the White House Correspondents’ dinner.
The 31-year-old attacker breached the Washington Hilton, injured a Secret Service agent, and was stopped before reaching President Donald Trump.
Democrats and the National Trust for Historic Preservation oppose the plan, citing a court injunction, lack of congressional approval, and funding offsets from customs fees and private donations.

History

Historical Context

In October 1994, gunman Francisco Martin Duran fired 29 rounds at the White House, prompting the Secret Service and FBI to spend $1.5 billion on reinforced barriers, cameras and access controls. That security overhaul set a precedent for federal funding, which today underlies a Senate $400 million plan to add a White House ballroom and further protect officials.

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Story summary

Senate Republicans introduced a $400 million bill to build a secure White House ballroom after a gunman attacked the White House Correspondents’ dinner.
The 31-year-old attacker breached the Washington Hilton, injured a Secret Service agent, and was stopped before reaching President Donald Trump.
Democrats and the National Trust for Historic Preservation oppose the plan, citing a court injunction, lack of congressional approval, and funding offsets from customs fees and private donations.

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