Democrats announced Saturday that the Senate's top parliamentary referee ruled a $1 billion provision in the GOP budget bill does not comply with budget rules. The provision covers the White House ballroom renovation, and the ruling threatens its inclusion in the final legislation.

The decision came as crews continued physical work on the White House ballroom Friday, suggesting renovation efforts were already underway despite the funding uncertainty. The parliamentary ruling removes a straightforward pathway for Democrats to attach the project to the budget package.

For the Republican leadership, the loss of the ballroom provision weakens the bill's appeal and complicates its path through the Senate. The parliamentary referee ruling makes it harder to add the project back without triggering budget rule violations.