Trump White House construction plan draws Democratic criticism as costs top $900 million

Senate Democrats asked the Government Accountability Office, Congress's audit arm, to review President Donald Trump's White House construction program after Washington Post reporting said the effort is expected to cost at least $927 million, with about $600 million tied to a proposed East Wing ballroom. Lawmakers said taxpayers would bear much of the cost through transfers and other funding directed into the Executive Residence's White House Repair and Restoration account, despite Trump's earlier statements that the ballroom would be privately funded, and they requested a report by Dec. 1. The scrutiny comes as a 2-1 U.S. appeals court ruling said Congress must authorize the ballroom project, and the panel later paused its order for two weeks to allow Trump to seek further review, including a possible Supreme Court appeal.

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