She determined that provisions making changes to who receives Medicaid were not permitted in such a bill.
Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has ruled that portions of the reconciliation of the president’s “Big Beautiful Bill“ dealing with Medicaid eligibility are not subject to a simple majority vote but would require a filibuster-proof majority. Some members of the Senate majority have called for her judgment to be overruled and others have pointed out that the parliamentarian is not an elected position and subject to replacement. MacDonough was appointed in 2012 by then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
“The Senate Parliamentarian is not elected,” Representative Greg Steube of Florida, wrote on social media. “She is not accountable to the American people. Yet she holds veto power over legislation supported by millions of voters.”
“The Senate Parliamentarian, an unelected staffer, is gutting the House’s OBBB,“ Representative Keith Self of Texas stated. “Her word isn’t law — just advice.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama stated, “Unelected bureaucrats think they know better than U.S. Congressmen who are elected BY THE PEOPLE. … THE SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN SHOULD BE FIRED ASAP.”
Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said, “What the parliamentarian did was a little bit of a hand grenade.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Senate Majority Leader Thune and members of the majority to be prudent as they weigh the options surrounding the parliamentarian and her judgment.
- For members of Congress to seek God’s direction as they craft legislation and resolutions.
Sources: USA Today, Daily Wire, PJ Media
