Rep. Greg Steube, a prominent Republican from Florida, has intensified the debate over the role of the Senate Parliamentarian by calling for the removal of Elizabeth MacDonough, the unelected official who blocked several key provisions of President Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill.’ In an interview with Fox News’ Jon Scott, Steube expressed frustration over what he described as the overreach of the parliamentarian, stressing that lawmakers, not an appointed staff member, should have final say over legislative content. This sentiment has found resonance among other Republicans, including Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, who also called for MacDonough to be replaced. The growing dissent highlights the tension between the executive branch and the Senate’s procedural checks, with critics claiming that the current system is undermining the will of the American people.
MacDonough, who was appointed by the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, has maintained that her role is to enforce Senate rules, not to make political decisions. However, her rulings on Trump’s legislative proposal have drawn sharp criticism from conservative lawmakers, who argue that the president’s agenda is being obstructed by an unelected official. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, has refused to replace MacDonough with a more aligned appointee, citing procedural constraints, which has further inflamed frustrations within the GOP. Trump himself has endorsed Steube’s stance, posting on Truth Social that the parliamentarian should not be allowed to derail the Republicans’ bill. This incident reflects a deeper ideological struggle over the balance of power between the branches of government and the role of procedural rules in shaping legislative outcomes.
The controversy has sparked broader questions about the independence of Senate rules and the extent to which procedural mechanisms can influence the trajectory of major legislative initiatives. While some GOP lawmakers continue to push for reforms to the Senate’s internal rules to give greater control to elected officials, others caution against bypassing established procedural norms. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges of advancing a presidential agenda in a divided Congress, with procedural hurdles becoming a focal point of political conflict. As the debate over the parliamentarian’s role intensifies, the implications for the legislative process and the balance of power remain a key concern for both parties and the broader political landscape.