Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina said Monday that she does not have problems with the government using taxpayers’ money for the White House ballroom suggested by President Donald Trump, despite initial claims that it would be privately funded.
“No, probably not either, because it’s the White House,” Mace told the media in response to whether she would be against the use of taxpayers’ money for the ballroom. “Other presidents have added onto the White House, too.”
Mace further admitted that she has not studied Sen. Rand Paul’s legislation on funding the ballroom, adding that she generally supports the ballroom’s construction.
“I support Trump building a ballroom, yes, especially after this weekend,” Mace said. “I haven’t read it yet. It’s hard to speak on it.”
Initially, Trump announced his plan, along with donors who offered private funding for the White House ballroom, which was estimated to cost $200-$400 million. The 90,000-square-foot ballroom design requires demolition of the East Wing. Legal issues have slowed the process in some respects; however, the question of whether congressional approval is required remains.
In answering whether the construction needs congressional approval rather than proceeding on its own, Mace pointed out that it is Congress’s job.
“Yeah, Congress is finding, Congress holds the purse strings,” Mace replied.
