Senate Republicans moved to remove $1 billion in security funds for President Trump's White House ballroom project from a key immigration enforcement bill, following internal GOP resistance. The provision faced opposition from multiple Republican senators who questioned allocating the money for a reportedly unpopular project while families struggle with basic costs. The nonpartisan parliamentarian had ruled the funding violated special procedural rules Republicans use to shield the measure from Democratic filibusters.

The funding collapse reflects limits on President Trump's influence over his own party, despite his recent success in primary challenges against dissenting Republicans. Just days after Senator Bill Cassidy lost his bid for a third term to a Trump-backed challenger, he joined others opposing the ballroom funding, calling it inappropriate given rising costs for groceries and healthcare. The Senate's Elizabeth MacDonough, the parliamentarian who blocked the provision, also became a target of Trump's ire, though senators rejected his call to fire her.

Democrats plan to exploit the controversy during upcoming budget votes, with Senator Chuck Schumer promising to force amendments highlighting the ballroom project. The removal clears the way for faster House passage of the roughly $72 billion immigration bill, which aims to fund Mr. Trump's deportation crackdown through the end of his term. Republicans hope to advance the measure through Congress on party-line votes after Democrats refused to support ICE funding without restrictive conditions the G.O.P. opposed.

The ballroom funding dispute exposed cracks in Trump's legislative agenda, showing that even with enhanced political leverage, Senate Republicans remain cautious about backing the president's personal priorities.