Six Republicans vote against White House ballroom

Six Republicans joined with Democrats on Thursday to support a measure that would block the construction of President Donald Trump's planned White House ballroom.

The measure needed 60 votes to pass and came as part of a string of amendment votes ahead of the main vote on a reconciliation bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.

The final vote was 52-47 in favor, with GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, John Husted of Ohio, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina voting to block construction, The Hill reported.

While Collins and Murkowski have typically been critical of the president and willing to vote against his priorities, Tillis has become more independent due to his imminent retirement. Husted, for his part, is facing a close bid for a full term in November.

The ballroom is a passion project for Trump, though it has also become a focal point for Democratic criticism of the administration. Several legal challenges have threatened the project, which Trump insists is necessary due to the absence of a government space suited to formal state events.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.