US Senator Lindsey Graham has defended a legislative initiative that envisages allocating $400 million for President Donald Trump's project to build a new ceremonial hall on the White House grounds.
The editorial office, citing Reuters, reports that Republican senators want to accelerate Trump's plan to create a safer venue for large official events at the White House. The project has resurfaced after a shooting incident at a White House Correspondents' Association event.
Graham stated that the new hall would reduce the need for presidents and high-ranking officials to leave the White House grounds for large events. According to him, downtown hotels and similar venues are riskier from a security perspective.
According to the argument presented by the senator, national security-related infrastructure and additional areas for the Secret Service will be located beneath the hall. Graham called this an important project not only for Trump but also for future presidents.
The project was initially presented as an initiative to be financed by private donations and Trump's personal funds. However, the new initiative put forward in Congress envisages $400 million in federal funding. It is proposed that a portion of these funds be covered by customs duties.
Democrats, however, criticize the initiative. They believe that if there is a real security problem, funds should first be directed to the needs of the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security, not to the construction of an expensive ceremonial hall at the White House.
The project has also led to legal disputes. Organizations involved in historical preservation oppose the demolition and construction work being carried out in the East Wing of the White House without congressional approval.