A billion US dollars of taxpayer money has been set aside to fund Donald Trump's White House ballroom project in a bill to fund immigration enforcement.
In the $97 billion legislation to fund the controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is $1.4 billion for security work related to the renovations of the East Wing.
The funding proposal marks a dramatic shift in cost for Trump's massive overhaul of the White House.
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Several months ago Trump said the renovations would cost $US200 million and be completely funded by private donations.
But the proposed budget would be five times that, with no indication of what is behind the quintupling of the cost.
While officially drafted by Republican senators, the White House has welcomed the funding proposal.
"The White House applauds Congress's latest proposal in its reconciliation package which includes additional funding for security infrastructure upgrades in relation to the long overdue East Wing Modernisation Project," a spokesperson said.
"Congress has rightly recognised the need for these funds."
The funding is "for the purposes of security adjustments and upgrades, including within the perimeter fence of the White House Compound to support enhancements by the United States Secret Service relating to the East Wing Modernisation Project, including above-ground and below-ground security features," the bill reads.
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The proposed funding has drawn the outrage of Democratic representatives.
"Trump literally said his ballroom would not cost taxpayers a penny. Why are Republicans champing at the bit to fund it?" Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove said.
"Even if this money is for 'security,' it's $1 BILLION of your tax dollars that wouldn't have been spent if Trump didn't tear down the East Wing."
While the bill has been proposed, it is not certain to become law.
Republicans hold a very narrow margin in both the House of Representatives and in the Senate.
Donald Trump's ballroom and ICE are two of the most unpopular elements of the current administration.
Republicans in narrowly-held districts will be loath to fund both of them six months before the midterm election.
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