Bill targeting White House ballroom donations introduced by Democrats

Source: CBS News

November 18, 2025 / 3:17 PM EST


Democrats on Tuesday introduced legislation to put guardrails around private donations to fund construction on White House grounds and the vice president's residence.

The bill, which comes in response to President Trump soliciting private money to fund a $300 million East Wing ballroom, is sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.

The bill aims to impose restrictions on donors seeking to influence the administration in power and would require transparency. It would prohibit the president from soliciting donations, ban the display of donor names, bar donors from remaining anonymous and institute a two-year "cooling-off period" in which donors would be prohibited from lobbying the government.

The bill, called "Stop Ballroom Bribery Act," would also prevent donations from businesses or individuals with business before the government — including those facing federal litigation or enforcement actions.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bill-targeting-white-house-ballroom-donations-introduced-by-democrats/