Build the Ballroom Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8543
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-28: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-20T19:45:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Build the Ballroom Act (H.R. 8543) authorizes the construction of a permanent ballroom on the White House grounds to address space limitations for large formal events and improve presidential security by reducing the need for off-site gatherings.
Key Provisions
- Findings: Congress notes that the White House lacks space for events over 200 people, forcing off-campus events that increase security risks (citing the 1981 Reagan shooting and a 2026 assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner).
- Sense of Congress: Supports building a secure, modern ballroom on White House grounds for long-term presidential use.
- Construction Authorization (Section 3):
- The President may build the ballroom, overriding any conflicting laws.
- Design must consider the needs of the President and Executive Office.
- Approval is by the President only (no other approvals required).
- Must include heating, electricity, furniture, and removal of any existing structures.
- Built as a permanent structure.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Bypasses all other laws ("notwithstanding any other provision of law"), potentially overriding historic preservation rules, environmental regulations, or standard federal construction processes that typically require multiple agency approvals (e.g., from the National Park Service or General Services Administration).
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Streamlines White House operations; shifts burden from security details for off-site events; may involve federal funding (not specified) and maintenance by agencies managing White House grounds.
- Citizens: Indirectly enhances presidential security, reducing risks during public events; no direct citizen benefits or costs outlined.
- International Relations: Enables secure on-site state dinners for foreign leaders, potentially strengthening diplomacy without off-site vulnerabilities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- President and Executive Office: Gains dedicated space for events tailored to their needs.
- Congress: Expresses support via findings and sense of Congress.
- Security Agencies (e.g., Secret Service): Benefits from reduced off-site risks.
- Taxpayers and White House Grounds Managers: Potential costs for construction and upkeep; alterations to historic grounds.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Grants broad presidential authority over federal property, waiving usual oversight and regulations, which could set precedent for executive-led construction.
- Constitutional: Raises questions about separation of powers, as it empowers the President unilaterally on public lands typically under congressional or agency control.
- Political: Responds to specific security incidents; positions Congress as proactive on presidential safety amid modern threats.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-28: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-04-28: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-28: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Build the Ballroom Act — issued 2026-04-28 — PDF (3 pages)