Thune Rejects Calls to Fire Parliamentarian Amidst "Big, Beautiful Bill" Setbacks

Washington, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has firmly rejected calls from some members of his party to fire Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, despite her recent rulings that have stripped key provisions from the Republican-led "Trump's big, beautiful bill." The legislative package, which aims to extend tax breaks and implement significant spending cuts, is being advanced through the budget reconciliation process, which allows for passage with a simple majority but is subject to strict procedural rules.

MacDonough, the non-partisan arbiter of Senate rules, recently determined that several Republican proposals, particularly those related to Medicaid reforms and immigration, violated the Byrd Rule. This rule mandates that provisions in reconciliation bills must have a direct and non-incidental budgetary impact. Among the struck provisions were those capping states' ability to collect federal Medicaid funding through provider taxes, denying Medicaid to undocumented immigrants, and banning federal funding for gender-affirming care.

The Parliamentarian's decisions have sparked frustration among some conservatives, including Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.), who have publicly called for MacDonough's dismissal. "THE SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN SHOULD BE FIRED ASAP," Senator Tuberville stated on social media, arguing that an "unelected bureaucrat" should not hold such sway over legislative outcomes. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) also voiced support for term-limiting the Parliamentarian's position.

However, Senator Thune has maintained that his party will abide by the Parliamentarian's guidance. "That would not be a good outcome for getting a bill done," Thune told reporters on Thursday, emphasizing the importance of institutional integrity. He indicated that Republicans would work to revise the non-compliant provisions to fit within reconciliation rules, rather than attempting to overrule MacDonough, a move that would require a vote and is widely seen as undermining Senate procedure. Other Republican senators, including Lindsey Graham and John Kennedy, have echoed Thune's stance against overruling the Parliamentarian.

The tweet from "Sólionath" on social media criticized Senator Thune's position, stating, "I can’t emphasise this enough: you need to call @LeaderJohnThune’s office and tell him that his refusal to fire the Parliamentarian is an abject betrayal." The post also referenced Senator Mike Lee's "partial backpedaling" due to public calls, though recent reports do not directly link Senator Lee to the current Parliamentarian debate or a similar "backpedaling" in this context. The tweet also urged "Vance must overrule the Parliamentarian’s decisions," a power that rests with the presiding officer of the Senate, typically the Vice President, not an individual senator like J.D. Vance.

The rulings from the Parliamentarian have created significant hurdles for the bill, which Republicans had hoped to send to the President's desk by the Fourth of July. The need to rework key sections is expected to delay the legislative timeline.