Republicans try again to get ballroom in immigration funding bill

Republicans are tweaking the language that would secure $1 billion for security adjustments related to the White House ballroom project after the Senate parliamentarian ruled the first draft of the bill did not adhere to rules that would exempt it from the 60-vote filibuster.

Republicans are racing to put their multibillion-dollar immigration funding package on the floor this week before leaving town for the Memorial Day holiday, but they could hit a snag as they work to ensure all provisions are eligible for the reconciliation process.

It’s not clear what disqualified the funding for the East Wing Modernization Project from being included, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., suggested it was a matter of how the bill was worded.

“We usually don’t litigate the conversation with the parliamentarian, but there’s been a back-and-forth, and that continues,” Thune told reporters on Monday. “I don’t think it should come as any surprise, there’s feedback, and if this idea doesn’t work as it doesn’t fit within the parameters of the restrictions that Byrd requires you to meet, so you try another approach.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/republicans-try-again-ballroom-immigration-030001806.html