White House unveils $1 billion security spending plan tied to Senate budget bill

The White House on Tuesday sent Senate Republicans a line-by-line spending plan detailing how it intends to use the $1 billion allocation for ballroom security included in the budget reconciliation bill released last week by the Senate Judiciary Panel and the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

According to Axios, US Secret Service Director Sean Curran is expected to brief lawmakers on the budget breakdown.

The proposed funding is divided into six main categories, ranging from training operations, nationally significant events and a visitor screening facility to fortifying the White House complex, enhancing protection for individuals under Secret Service security and addressing evolving threats and technology.

According to a briefing document obtained by PBS NewsHour, the $220 million allocated to fortifying the White House complex will focus on installing bullet-resistant glass, drone detection technologies, filtration and detection systems against chemical and other threats, and a range of national security functions.

The White House document said plans targeting emerging threats would include investment in cutting-edge technologies aimed at countering drones, airspace violations, unmanned systems, biological threats and other developing risks.

The administration also plans to establish a White House visitor screening facility at a cost of $180 million to ensure secure and efficient screening for staff, officials, visitors and large-scale events.

The projected cost breakdown for each target area was listed as follows:

• $220 million to fortify the White House complex
• $180 million for the White House visitor security screening facility
• $175 million for Secret Service training in a “modern threat environment”
• $175 million to enhance security for individuals protected by the Secret Service
• $150 million for emerging threats and technology initiatives
• $100 million for nationally significant events