Senate rules could block 'Big Beautiful Bill'

 Federalist Wire:

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In a major setback for President Donald Trump’s ambitious domestic policy agenda, Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, an unelected official wielding significant influence, has dealt a blow to the Senate’s version of the president’s “one big, beautiful” bill. MacDonough’s rulings have forced Senate Republicans to rethink critical elements of the legislation, which is central to delivering on Trump’s promises to overhaul federal spending and immigration policy.

MacDonough has advised Senate Republicans to strip or revise 47 provisions from the bill to comply with the Senate’s strict budget reconciliation rules. These rules, known as the Byrd Rule, limit what can be included in legislation passed with a simple majority, a process Republicans are using to bypass Democratic opposition. The parliamentarian’s decisions have sparked frustration among conservatives eager to see Trump’s vision enacted swiftly.

Among the provisions MacDonough struck are key healthcare reforms, including measures to prohibit federal Medicaid funding for sex change procedures and to deny funding to states offering coverage to certain noncitizens. Another provision aimed at reducing federal Medicaid expenditures for the Obamacare expansion population in states providing free healthcare to illegal immigrants was also axed, hindering efforts to curb spending.

The rulings have ignited outrage among conservative lawmakers who see MacDonough’s decisions as an obstacle to fulfilling the president’s agenda. Republican Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville took to X on Thursday, becoming the first GOP senator to publicly call for MacDonough’s removal, accusing her of undermining Trump’s priorities. Tuberville’s bold stance highlights the growing tension between the administration’s supporters and the Senate’s procedural gatekeepers.

MacDonough, appointed by the late Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, has a history of advising high-profile Democrats, including former Vice President Al Gore. As the Senate’s nonpartisan arbiter of rules, she holds immense sway over the budget reconciliation process, which allows Republicans to pass tax and spending legislation with just 51 votes, avoiding the 60-vote threshold typically required for controversial measures.

Provisions deemed non-compliant with budget rules by MacDonough face a 60-vote hurdle, effectively forcing Republicans to remove or revise them. This has put Senate GOP leadership in a bind as they work to align the bill with Trump’s goals while navigating the parliamentarian’s constraints. The process has become a test of the party’s ability to deliver on the president’s ambitious agenda.
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Does it take a 60-vote threshold to fire MacDonough?  If not, fire her and appoint someone willing to allow a majority vote to pass the legislation.  It is bizarre that anyone would support funding for sex change procedures or coverage for noncitizens.