Story perspectives

GOP Senators Join Democrats to Block $1.8B Fund, Ballroom

6/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

A handful of Senate Republicans joined Democrats to block President Donald Trump's $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and a 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom after an 18-hour vote-a-rama.
Senate Republicans Susan Collins, Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan voted with Democrats to oppose the fund and ballroom.
President Donald Trump's nominee Bill Pulte for acting director of national intelligence drew criticism from both parties, prompting senators to expect a difficult confirmation vote.

History

Historical Context

In November 1995, President Bill Clinton and Speaker Newt Gingrich clashed over spending cuts, triggering a five-day shutdown that furloughed about 800,000 workers. Similar partisan deadlocks later forced the 16-day 2013 shutdown under Barack Obama and the 35-day 2018-19 shutdown under Donald Trump, illustrating a recurring pattern of budget impasses in U.S. politics.

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Story summary

A handful of Senate Republicans joined Democrats to block President Donald Trump's $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and a 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom after an 18-hour vote-a-rama.
Senate Republicans Susan Collins, Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan voted with Democrats to oppose the fund and ballroom.
President Donald Trump's nominee Bill Pulte for acting director of national intelligence drew criticism from both parties, prompting senators to expect a difficult confirmation vote.

1 / 2