Washington, United States. Democrats seeking to win control of Congress in November are highlighting Republicans’ support for President Donald Trump’s proposed $400 million White House ballroom to argue the party is out of touch with voters’ cost-of-living concerns. Republicans are moving toward a vote that could include hundreds of millions of dollars for the project.
Democrats link ballroom proposal to cost-of-living concerns
Democrats are pointing to a more than 50% jump in gasoline prices since Trump launched a war with Iran, along with rising healthcare, fertilizer and electricity costs that they say his policies have worsened. Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota told reporters, quoting a farmer in her state, “It’s a perfect storm of ugly.”
Candidates campaign on economic priorities
Democratic candidates outside Washington are portraying the proposed ballroom as a frivolous diversion from working Americans’ concerns. Brian Poindexter, a Democrat running for a House seat in northeastern Ohio, said the ballroom “is a vanity project that we don’t need,” adding that people he hopes to serve worry about “food, utilities, paying the rent.” His rival, incumbent Republican Representative Max Miller, did not respond to a request for comment.
Republican responses range from support to concern over timing
Some Republicans say the ballroom is a needed improvement for an outdated White House and is unrelated to the broader economy. Republican Representative Daniel Webster of Florida said, “It’s hard to make that connection there. It doesn’t fit.” Others have said the proposal could look bad ahead of November elections, when control of the House and Senate is at stake. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina told CNN, “We’re talking about building a ballroom, and we’re trying to get the economy squared away. Timing is bad.”
How important is it to you that lawmakers focus on cost-of-living issues rather than funding high-profile projects?
