Republican fury erupted among Senate leaders after the Senate Parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, ruled that several key provisions in the Senate GOP’s version of President Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ would not pass under Senate rules. The ruling came following a clash over provisions aiming to reform Medicaid, a widely used government healthcare program.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., led the charge, calling for the immediate firing of the parliamentarian and proposing a resolution that would impose a six-year term limit on the position. Marshall cited past precedents, including the firing of the parliamentarian during the 2001 reconciliation process, as justification for his demand. He argued that MacDonough’s rulings against the bill’s provisions could strip up to $500 billion in spending cuts, jeopardizing the fiscal goals of the GOP.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has expressed reluctance to overrule MacDonough’s decisions, highlighting the procedural integrity of the Senate’s rules. Despite the setback, Republicans may still attempt to rewrite and resubmit the bill for reconsideration. However, the removal of several contentious provisions, including harsher controls on Medicaid provider rates, restrictions on Medicaid funding for illegal immigrants, and bans on gender-affirming care under Medicaid and CHIP, has sparked significant debate within the party.
The current parliamentarian, chosen by the Senate majority leader and without term limits, faces criticism for her role in shaping the bill’s fate. Marshall’s push for term limits underscores growing concerns over the concentration of power in the parliamentarian’s role, which could have long-term implications for Senate procedure and policy outcomes.
As the Republican Party grapples with the fallout from the ruling, the prospect of a revised bill remains uncertain. The political ramifications of this dispute highlight the deepening tensions between fiscal conservatism and the procedural constraints of Senate governance, further complicating efforts to advance Trump’s legislative agenda.