Senate parliamentarian: The unelected official weighing on Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
House and Senate Republicans have been diligently working on a comprehensive piece of legislation that encompasses a range of President Donald Trump’s agenda items. This bill is made possible through the budget reconciliation process, which allows the majority party in Congress and the White House to pass significant policy changes while bypassing the minority party. This process lowers the Senate’s threshold for passage from 60 votes to a simple majority of 51, aligning it with the House’s rules.
One crucial aspect of the budget reconciliation process is that the measures included in the bill must pertain to taxes, spending, or the national debt. The final decision on what is relevant to this criteria lies with the Senate parliamentarian, a nonpartisan, unelected official appointed by the Senate majority leader. The parliamentarian’s role is to advise the Senate on its rules and precedents, and they play a critical role in the reconciliation process.
The current Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, has been advising Senate Republicans on President Trump’s proposed legislation. MacDonough, who was appointed by former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, is the first woman to hold this position. She is highly respected for her handling of the role and is seen as impartial in her decisions.
In the past, the Senate parliamentarian has been in the spotlight for their rulings on reconciliation bills. For example, in 2021, progressive Rep. Ilhan Omar called for the firing of the parliamentarian when she forced Senate Democrats to remove a $15 per hour minimum wage provision from their reconciliation bill. Despite the occasional controversy, the parliamentarian’s decisions are crucial in ensuring that the reconciliation process stays within the boundaries set by Senate rules.
One potential issue that could arise in the current reconciliation plans is the scoring method used for extending Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Senate Republicans are considering a scoring method known as the current policy baseline, which would obscure the cost of extending the tax cuts. While Republicans believe they have the legal basis to proceed with this calculation, the final decision rests with the budget committee chairman.
Overall, Republicans have been cautious in their approach to the reconciliation bill, with an eye towards ensuring that the language of the bill complies with Senate rules. While there may be some scrutiny on certain provisions, such as immigration measures, Republican leaders are optimistic about having a bill on President Trump’s desk by the Fourth of July.
In conclusion, the Senate parliamentarian plays a crucial role in the budget reconciliation process, advising on the relevance of measures in the bill and ensuring that it complies with Senate rules. While there may be challenges ahead, Republicans are confident in their ability to navigate the reconciliation process and deliver a comprehensive piece of legislation to President Trump for approval.
