Her rulings threaten the timelines and financial projections laid out in what the President calls his "big beautiful bill."
**Senate Parliamentarian Challenges Trump's Ambitious Tax Bill**
**Senate Parliamentarian Challenges Trump's Ambitious Tax Bill**
The refusal of Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough to endorse key provisions of Trump's proposed tax legislation has sparked controversy among Republican lawmakers.
Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, a crucial figure in the legislative process, has garnered significant attention as she raises objections against critical elements in President Donald Trump’s proposed tax bill, affectionately dubbed the "big beautiful bill." Despite its impressive length of 1,000 pages, the bill faces precariousness after MacDonough's assessments highlighted that several provisions are incompatible with Senate rules, particularly those concerning significant budgetary cuts.
The proposed legislation seeks substantial reductions in spending and extensions of tax cuts, yet MacDonough's decisions throw the feasibility of these cuts into jeopardy, complicating Congress's goal to present the bill to the President by July 4—a self-imposed deadline. As debates have unfolded in the Senate regarding modifications to the bill—following a narrow approval in the House of Representatives—Republican voices have begun to call for the Senate to overlook MacDonough's guidance or even pursue her dismissal, a move that could disrupt long-standing legislative norms.
Central components of the bill include controversial reductions to low-income healthcare programs, alterations to SNAP (food assistance), and the removal of taxes on tips and overtime wages. Currently, legislative leaders face substantial hurdles in building consensus among varying factions within the GOP, particularly regarding the sensitive social program reforms.
As the role of the Senate parliamentarian is fundamental in maintaining compliance with financial regulations, MacDonough has wielded considerable influence over proposed reconciliatory bills, making her the first woman to hold this position since its inception in 2012. Notably, her determinations have previously led to attempts by Democrats to circumvent her during discussions about raising the minimum wage—a move that reflects the contentious nature of budget legislation in a split partisan environment.
Facing pushback, some Republican senators like Alabama's Tommy Tuberville have challenged her rulings vocally, asserting that they undermine the intentions of the mandate given by voters during the previous election. Others, like Kansas Senator Roger Marshall, have called for her to be term-limited or outright removed, invoking a precedent from 2001 when a prior parliamentarian was dismissed amid similar tensions. Yet, Senate Minority Leader John Thune remains hesitant to fully align with these calls to action, emphasizing the need for collaboration and adaptation rather than dismissal of Senate traditions, characterizing MacDonough's rulings as mere "speed bumps."
Should the Senate pass the bill in its revised form, it must return to the House, where there is already dissent regarding the changes made in the upper chamber. The urgency seen by the Trump administration for a resolution before Independence Day remains palpable, as indicated by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's remarks on the legislative intricacies at play. As the clock ticks down, both parties are under immense pressure to resolve their differences and meet the emerging deadline, all while navigating the complex interplay of Senate rules and political strategies.
With additional reporting by Anthony Zurcher, the tensions around Trump's "big beautiful bill" illustrate not only the obstacles of budget reconciliations but also the political stakes surrounding the upcoming elections.
The proposed legislation seeks substantial reductions in spending and extensions of tax cuts, yet MacDonough's decisions throw the feasibility of these cuts into jeopardy, complicating Congress's goal to present the bill to the President by July 4—a self-imposed deadline. As debates have unfolded in the Senate regarding modifications to the bill—following a narrow approval in the House of Representatives—Republican voices have begun to call for the Senate to overlook MacDonough's guidance or even pursue her dismissal, a move that could disrupt long-standing legislative norms.
Central components of the bill include controversial reductions to low-income healthcare programs, alterations to SNAP (food assistance), and the removal of taxes on tips and overtime wages. Currently, legislative leaders face substantial hurdles in building consensus among varying factions within the GOP, particularly regarding the sensitive social program reforms.
As the role of the Senate parliamentarian is fundamental in maintaining compliance with financial regulations, MacDonough has wielded considerable influence over proposed reconciliatory bills, making her the first woman to hold this position since its inception in 2012. Notably, her determinations have previously led to attempts by Democrats to circumvent her during discussions about raising the minimum wage—a move that reflects the contentious nature of budget legislation in a split partisan environment.
Facing pushback, some Republican senators like Alabama's Tommy Tuberville have challenged her rulings vocally, asserting that they undermine the intentions of the mandate given by voters during the previous election. Others, like Kansas Senator Roger Marshall, have called for her to be term-limited or outright removed, invoking a precedent from 2001 when a prior parliamentarian was dismissed amid similar tensions. Yet, Senate Minority Leader John Thune remains hesitant to fully align with these calls to action, emphasizing the need for collaboration and adaptation rather than dismissal of Senate traditions, characterizing MacDonough's rulings as mere "speed bumps."
Should the Senate pass the bill in its revised form, it must return to the House, where there is already dissent regarding the changes made in the upper chamber. The urgency seen by the Trump administration for a resolution before Independence Day remains palpable, as indicated by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's remarks on the legislative intricacies at play. As the clock ticks down, both parties are under immense pressure to resolve their differences and meet the emerging deadline, all while navigating the complex interplay of Senate rules and political strategies.
With additional reporting by Anthony Zurcher, the tensions around Trump's "big beautiful bill" illustrate not only the obstacles of budget reconciliations but also the political stakes surrounding the upcoming elections.
