This bill, H.R. 8543, lets the President build a permanent ballroom on the grounds of the White House. The bill says the ballroom must be planned for the needs of the President and the Executive Office of the President. The President alone would approve the project. The ballroom would include heating, electricity, and furniture. The bill allows removal of existing structures as needed. The bill text also includes findings that the White House cannot host formal events of over 200 people under the current structure and that holding large events off campus can pose security risks. It cites past attacks as part of those findings.
If the bill becomes law, the President may decide to design and build a permanent ballroom on White House grounds. The project would be approved only by the President and could change or remove existing structures on the grounds. The bill states the ballroom should consider modern security needs and serve the Office of the President.
No publicly available information.
The bill's findings and "sense of Congress" state that a new ballroom would allow larger formal events to be held on White House grounds and that doing so could address modern security concerns. Supporters in the text say the space would serve the President and the Executive Office of the President into the future.
No publicly available information.