Overview
- Sen. John Fetterman said the planned ballroom would be “tasteful” and “historical,” calling the upgrade “pretty normal.”
- The White House says the project will be funded by President Trump and private donors, with work beginning in September and finishing well before his term ends.
- Design and build teams named by the White House include McCrery Architects, Clark Construction, and AECOM for engineering.
- The addition is described as roughly 90,000 square feet with seating for about 650, intended to replace reliance on distant outdoor tents for major state events.
- Critics such as Sen. Richard Blumenthal warn of a “boondoggle” and potential donor sway, while Sen. Chris Coons questions legal authority and timeline claims as Republicans including Sen. Ted Cruz praise the no-taxpayer-cost plan.