Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA)
Senator Lindsey Graham – a man who has spent his entire career in a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek with his own personal life – is finally ready to go big on a project close to his heart.
The South Carolina Senator has introduced a bill demanding $400 million in taxpayer funds to build a “military-grade” ballroom at the White House.
While the project was originally pitched as privately funded, Graham now argues the government should pay for the “military-grade” infrastructure, while private donors can focus on “buying china and stuff like that.”
Advocacy groups and leaders have been among the sharpest critics, contrasting the massive spending on luxury hosting with recent cuts to LGBTQ+ protections and healthcare:
- Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA): The Congressional Equality Caucus member didn’t hold back, delivering the sharpest jab of the week: “Millions of queer youth lack safety while Lindsey Graham shops for dinnerware.” Garcia mocked the “stuff like that” comment, noting the absurdity of prioritizing the President’s silverware while LGBTQ+ youth face a “legislative epidemic of isolation.”
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Sarah Kate Ellis (GLAAD): Pointed out the hypocrisy of finding $400 million for a “party palace” while the administration simultaneously targets funding for LGBTQ+ community centers and HIV/AIDS prevention.
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Kelley Robinson (Human Rights Campaign): Labeled the bill a “slap in the face” to marginalized communities, stating, “There is always money for the President’s gold-rimmed china, but never enough for the safety and healthcare of queer and trans Americans.”
