Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough expresses concerns that several provisions in Donald Trump's extensive tax bill violate Senate rules. As Republicans push for rapid passage, her rulings create internal conflict and risk missing the President's deadline.
Senate Parliamentarian Challenges Trump's Ambitious Tax Bill
Senate Parliamentarian Challenges Trump's Ambitious Tax Bill
Elizabeth MacDonough raises red flags over key provisions in Trump's proposed budget that could jeopardize billions in tax cuts.
Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate Parliamentarian, has become a pivotal figure in the heated debate surrounding President Donald Trump's newly proposed tax bill, formally termed the "big beautiful bill." Though perhaps not a household name, MacDonough's recent objections to elements of this 1,000-page legislation—aimed at significant spending cuts and tax reductions—have put her in the spotlight. Her assertions that certain parts of the bill violate established Senate rules have raised doubts about billions of dollars’ worth of cuts, as Congress faces a tight deadline of July 4 to finalize the proposal.
The House of Representatives recently passed a contentious spending bill that included drastic cuts to Medicaid and changes to food assistance programs like SNAP, which Republicans are wrestling with in the Senate. Both parties within the chamber are now urging edits to the bill as time runs short to meet the President's timeline. Despite a Republican majority in both the House and Senate, unity is faltering around key social programs, notably Medicaid, complicating legislative progress.
MacDonough's role entails vetting the compliance of bills with budgetary procedures. As the first woman to occupy this position, she has a long history in government, previously serving in various roles within the Senate and the Justice Department. Appointed by former Democratic Senator Harry Reid, she is tasked with enforcing the Byrd Rule, which ensures that extraneous provisions are kept out of "reconciliation" bills. This rule is particularly critical to Trump’s agenda as it allows for a simple majority vote in the Senate, bypassing certain Democratic opposition.
Her recent interpretations indicate that multiple provisions proposed by Republican lawmakers exceed the limits set forth by the Byrd Rule, including stipulations aimed at restricting states' rights to federal Medicaid funding expansions. Some Republicans, frustrated with her rulings, have gone as far as calling for her dismissal, with Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville arguing that the Parliamentarian’s actions undermine Trump's mandate following the 2020 election.
Yet not all Republican leaders share this sentiment. Senate Republican Leader John Thune cautioned against any movement to remove MacDonough, framing her objections not as permanent roadblocks but rather as "speed bumps." Meanwhile, calls from party members like Kansas Senator Roger Marshall suggest the introduction of term limits for the role, indicating an ongoing internal struggle within the GOP.
As the debate continues, the clock is ticking toward that July 4 deadline. After the Senate's approval, the bill will return to the House for further consideration amid murmurs of dissent over the Senate's alterations. Trump’s administration remains steadfast in pushing for the bill's passage by Independence Day, despite the complications arising from MacDonough’s rulings, showcasing the intricate juggling act required in the high-stakes world of U.S. budget legislation.
