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CTV News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Meet the U.S. official tying Republicans in knots over their tax bill
U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., centre left, speaks to reporters along with members of the Republican leadership, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) WASHINGTON — A few Republicans reacted with indignation Thursday after the U.S. Senate parliamentarian advised that some of the measures in their tax and immigration bill could not be included in the legislation. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., tweeted on X that Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough should be fired, 'ASAP.' Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., intimated that she was partisan, asking why an 'unelected swamp bureaucrat, who was appointed by Harry Reid over a decade ago' gets to decide what's in the bill?' It's hardly the first time the parliamentarian's normally low-key and lawyerly role has drawn a blast of public criticism. MacDonough also dashed Democratic plans over the years, advising in 2021 that they couldn't include a minimum wage increase in their COVID-19 relief bill. Later that same year, she advised that Democrats needed to drop an effort to let millions of immigrants remain temporarily in the U.S. as part of their big climate bill. But the attention falling on MacDonough's rulings in recent years also reflects a broader change in Congress, with lawmakers increasingly trying to wedge their top policy priorities into bills that can't be filibustered in the Senate. The process comes with special rules designed to deter provisions unrelated to spending or taxes — and that's where the parliamentarian comes in, offering analysis of what does and doesn't qualify. Elizabeth MacDonough U.S. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough is seen in the House chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Her latest round of decisions Thursday was a blow to the GOP's efforts to wring hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid over the next decade. Senate Republicans could opt to try to override her recommendations, but they are unlikely to do so. Here's a closer look at what the Senate parliamentarian does and why lawmakers are so focused on her recommendations right now. The crucial role of the parliamentarian Both the House and Senate have a parliamentarian to provide assistance on that chamber's rules and precedents. They are often seen advising whoever is presiding over the chamber on the proper procedures to be followed and the appropriate responses to a parliamentary inquiry. They are also charged with providing information to lawmakers and their respective staff on a strictly nonpartisan and confidential basis. The parliamentarians and their staff only offer advice. Their recommendations are not binding. In the case of the massive tax and spending bill now before both chambers, the parliamentarian plays a critical role in advising whether the reconciliation bill's provisions remain focused on fiscal issues. How MacDonough became the first woman in the job MacDonough, an English literature major, is the Senate's first woman to be parliamentarian and just the sixth person to hold the position since its creation in 1935. She began her Senate career in its library before leaving to get a law degree at Vermont Law School. She worked briefly as a Justice Department trial attorney before returning to the Senate in 1999, this time as an assistant in the parliamentarian's office. She was initially appointed parliamentarian in 2012 by Democrat Harry Reid of Nevada, Senate majority leader at the time. She was retained by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., when he became majority leader in 2015. She helped Chief Justice John Roberts preside over Trump's 2020 Senate impeachment trial and was beside then-Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., for Trump's second trial the following year. Trump was acquitted both times. When Trump supporters fought past police and into the Capitol in hopes of disrupting Congress' certification of Joe Biden's Electoral College victory, MacDonough and other staffers rescued those ballots and hustled mahogany boxes containing them to safety. MacDonough's office, on the Capitol's first floor, was ransacked and declared a crime scene. Can the Senate ignore the parliamentarian's advice? Yes. The parliamentarian makes the recommendation, but it's the presiding officer overseeing Senate proceedings who rules on provisions in the bill. If there is a dispute, it would be put to a vote. Michael Thorning, director of structural democracy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank, said he doubts Republicans will want to go that route. And indeed, some Republican senators said as much Thursday. 'It's the institutional integrity, even if I'm convinced 100% she's wrong,' said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. Thorning said lawmakers from both parties view MacDonough as 'very much an honest broker.' 'And the Senate relies on her,' Thorning said. 'Sometimes, those decisions cut your way, and sometimes, they don't. I also think members recognize that once you start treating the parliamentarian's advice as just something that could be easily dismissed, then the rules start to matter less.' Have parliamentarians been fired? Majority leaders from both parties have replaced the parliamentarian. For more than three decades, the position alternated between Robert Dove and Alan Frumin depending upon which party was in the majority. Thorning said the two parliamentarians weren't far apart though, in how they interpreted the Senate's rules and precedents. MacDonough succeeded Frumin as parliamentarian. He said the small number of calls Thursday for her dismissal 'tells you all people need to know about the current parliamentarian.' 'Senators know this isn't somebody playing politics,' Thorning said. Kevin Freking, The Associated Press
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Senate parliamentarian's role under scrutiny over as Republicans call for her firing over the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill'
Republicans are calling for the removal of Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough after she ruled that some of the measures outlined in President Donald Trump 's signature 'Big, Beautiful Bill' could not be included on budgetary grounds. MacDonough blocked several measures in the legislation that would have provided tens of billions of dollars in savings, including one that would have shut down state strategies for obtaining federal Medicaid funding and another that would have limited student loan repayment options. MacDonough is the first woman to hold the office since its founding in 1935. The parliamentarian is primarily responsible for advising the upper chamber of Congress on adherence to the law, with the House having its own parliamentarian to perform the same function. They are also charged with providing information to members of Congress and their staff on a strictly nonpartisan and confidential basis. Her actions leave lawmakers scrambling to make cost-cutting compromises over the weekend ahead of their July 4 deadline. Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville raged on X on Thursday evening: 'President Trump's landslide victory was a MANDATE from 77 million Americans. The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers on that mandate. The Parliamentarian is trying to UNDERMINE the President's mandate and should be fired.' Florida Rep. Greg Steube called MacDonough 'an unelected swamp bureaucrat,' complaining that she is not accountable to voters. 'It is time for our elected leaders to take back control,' he continued. ' JD Vance should overrule the Parliamentarian and let the will of the people, not some staffer hiding behind Senate procedure, determine the future of this country.' Appearing on Newsmax's Chris Salcedo Show, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul fumed that MacDonough's authority to determine which provisions in the legislation are matters of policy or budget allowed her excessive discretion and would be best left up to lawmakers. 'I think most Americans would be perplexed to know why an unelected person is making these decisions,' he said. 'These are profound, big decisions.' Summarizing his argument, Paul said: 'Essentially, it's this. When we have reconciliation, there's a question: Is the predominant effect of the portion of the legislation about the budget, or is it about policy? But a lot of things are a tough call, and they can be about both policy and budget, as I think this is. 'This person who has not been elected by anybody can't be unelected, can't be removed from office, and for which the public has no way of expressing displeasure is making these decisions. 'It's a terrible situation, and it's a bizarre sort of situation that we are all beholden. No one has voted for this person.' Unlike Tuberville and Steube, Paul was careful to make clear he did not object to MacDonough personally. MacDonough initially worked in the Senate library, left to earn a law degree from Vermont Law School, and then advanced through the Justice Department before being appointed to her present position by then-Speaker Harry Reid in 2012. She was retained by Republican Mitch McConnell when he became majority leader in 2015. She steered the Senate through Trump's first and historic second impeachment trials during his first term and had her office ransacked by Capitol rioters on January 6 2021. But she has also frustrated Democratic ambitions, notably blocking Joe Biden 's administration from including a minimum wage hike in his Covid-19 relief bill in the pandemic and dropping immigration provisions from the party's climate legislation. The House and Senate parliamentarians make recommendations, but they can be overruled; the final decision lies with the presiding officer overseeing the proceedings. Michael Thorning, director of structural democracy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, told the Associated Press he believed Republicans are unlikely to challenge MacDonough and that both sides regard her as 'very much an honest broker.' 'The Senate relies on her,' he said. 'Sometimes, those decisions cut your way, and sometimes, they don't. I also think members recognize that once you start treating the parliamentarian's advice as just something that could be easily dismissed, then the rules start to matter less.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Forefront of the Golden Age': Tuberville says Huntsville could play major role in Golden Dome project
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Sen. Tommy Tuberville said he wants to see future defense dollars allocated to Huntsville. Senate Republicans are currently pushing to pass funding for one of the president's biggest defense projects, the Golden Dome, and Tuberville said he believes the Rocket City is primed to play a major role. Decatur Youth Services continues to operate without a permanent home 'Huntsville is a national standard when it comes to defense and national security,' Tuberville said. 'The Senate is proposing nearly $25 billion in a reconciliation package as a down payment to begin construction on this massive project.' In a press conference Thursday, Tuberville said he believes the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites were successful in setting back the nation's nuclear capabilities, but he did not rule out future military action. 'We cannot allow them to have a nuclear weapon,' Tuberville said. 'If we just set them back a month, what we did was good. Now, going back in there and involving the United States, I don't think we need to do that as we speak, but if need be in the future, we'll let President Trump make that decision.' Tuberville said national security is more important than ever, and he believes Redstone Arsenal is capable of supporting the Golden Dome project. 'As Alabama's voice on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I'm going to keep fighting to keep Alabama at the forefront of President Trump's Golden Age,' Tuberville said. On Thursday, Sen. Katie Britt, along with two other Republicans Senators, introduced a bill to fund the development of the Golden Dome in committee. The legislation is in its earliest form, but it has the support of a number of Republicans and the president. The project would develop new technology, like hypersonic defenses and space-based interceptors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Meet the Senate parliamentarian, the official tying Republicans in knots over their tax bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — A few Republicans reacted with indignation Thursday after the Senate parliamentarian advised that some of the measures in their tax and immigration bill could not be included in the legislation. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., tweeted on X that Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough should be fired, 'ASAP.' Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., intimated that she was partisan, asking why an 'unelected swamp bureaucrat, who was appointed by Harry Reid over a decade ago' gets to decide what's in the bill?' It's hardly the first time the parliamentarian's normally low-key and lawyerly role has drawn a blast of public criticism. MacDonough also dashed Democratic plans over the years, advising in 2021 that they couldn't include a minimum wage increase in their COVID-19 relief bill. Later that same year, she advised that Democrats needed to drop an effort to let millions of immigrants remain temporarily in the U.S. as part of their big climate bill. But the attention falling on MacDonough's rulings in recent years also reflects a broader change in Congress, with lawmakers increasingly trying to wedge their top policy priorities into bills that can't be filibustered in the Senate. The process comes with special rules designed to deter provisions unrelated to spending or taxes — and that's where the parliamentarian comes in, offering analysis of what does and doesn't qualify. Her latest round of decisions Thursday was a blow to the GOP's efforts to wring hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid over the next decade. Senate Republicans could opt to try to override her recommendations, but they are unlikely to do so. Here's a closer look at what the Senate parliamentarian does and why lawmakers are so focused on her recommendations right now. The crucial role of the parliamentarian Both the House and Senate have a parliamentarian to provide assistance on that chamber's rules and precedents. They are often seen advising whoever is presiding over the chamber on the proper procedures to be followed and the appropriate responses to a parliamentary inquiry. They are also charged with providing information to lawmakers and their respective staff on a strictly nonpartisan and confidential basis. The parliamentarians and their staff only offer advice. Their recommendations are not binding. In the case of the massive tax and spending bill now before both chambers, the parliamentarian plays a critical role in advising whether the reconciliation bill's provisions remain focused on fiscal issues. How MacDonough became the first woman in the job MacDonough, an English literature major, is the Senate's first woman to be parliamentarian and just the sixth person to hold the position since its creation in 1935. She began her Senate career in its library before leaving to get a law degree at Vermont Law School. She worked briefly as a Justice Department trial attorney before returning to the Senate in 1999, this time as an assistant in the parliamentarian's office. She was initially appointed parliamentarian in 2012 by Democrat Harry Reid of Nevada, Senate majority leader at the time. She was retained by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., when he became majority leader in 2015. She helped Chief Justice John Roberts preside over Trump's 2020 Senate impeachment trial and was beside then-Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., for Trump's second trial the following year. Trump was acquitted both times. When Trump supporters fought past police and into the Capitol in hopes of disrupting Congress' certification of Joe Biden's Electoral College victory, MacDonough and other staffers rescued those ballots and hustled mahogany boxes containing them to safety. MacDonough's office, on the Capitol's first floor, was ransacked and declared a crime scene. Can the Senate ignore the parliamentarian's advice? Yes. The parliamentarian makes the recommendation, but it's the presiding officer overseeing Senate proceedings who rules on provisions in the bill. If there is a dispute, it would be put to a vote. Michael Thorning, director of structural democracy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank, said he doubts Republicans will want to go that route. And indeed, some Republican senators said as much Thursday. 'It's the institutional integrity, even if I'm convinced 100% she's wrong,' said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. Thorning said lawmakers from both parties view MacDonough as 'very much an honest broker.' 'And the Senate relies on her,' Thorning said. 'Sometimes, those decisions cut your way, and sometimes, they don't. I also think members recognize that once you start treating the parliamentarian's advice as just something that could be easily dismissed, then the rules start to matter less.' Have parliamentarians been fired? Majority leaders from both parties have replaced the parliamentarian. For more than three decades, the position alternated between Robert Dove and Alan Frumin depending upon which party was in the majority. Thorning said the two parliamentarians weren't far apart though, in how they interpreted the Senate's rules and precedents. MacDonough succeeded Frumin as parliamentarian. He said the small number of calls Thursday for her dismissal 'tells you all people need to know about the current parliamentarian.' 'Senators know this isn't somebody playing politics,' Thorning said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Meet the Senate Parliamentarian, the Official Tying Republicans in Knots Over Their Tax Bill
Some Republicans expressed indignation Thursday after the Senate parliamentarian advised that some measures in their tax and immigration bill could not be included in the legislation. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., tweeted on X that Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough should be fired 'ASAP.' Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., intimated that she was partisan, asking, 'Why does an unelected swamp bureaucrat who was appointed by Harry Reid over a decade ago get to decide what's in the bill?' It's hardly the first time the parliamentarian's normally low-key and lawyerly role has drawn public criticism. MacDonough also dashed Democratic plans over the years, advising in 2021 that they couldn't include a minimum wage increase in their COVID-19 relief bill. Later that same year, she advised that Democrats needed to drop an effort to let millions of immigrants remain temporarily in the US as part of their big climate bill. But the attention falling on MacDonough's rulings in recent years also reflects a broader change in Congress, with lawmakers increasingly trying to wedge their top policy priorities into bills that can't be filibustered in the Senate. The process comes with special rules designed to deter provisions unrelated to spending or taxes–and that's where the parliamentarian comes in, offering analysis of what does and doesn't qualify. Her latest round of decisions Thursday was a blow to the GOP's efforts to wring hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid over the next decade. Senate Republicans could opt to try to override her recommendations, but they are unlikely to do so. Here's a closer look at what the Senate parliamentarian does and why lawmakers are so focused on her recommendations right now. The crucial role of the parliamentarian Both the House and Senate have a parliamentarian to provide assistance on that chamber's rules and precedents. They are often seen advising whoever is presiding over the chamber on the proper procedures to be followed and the appropriate responses to a parliamentary inquiry. They are also charged with providing information to lawmakers and their respective staff on a strictly nonpartisan and confidential basis. The parliamentarians and their staff only offer advice. Their recommendations are not binding. In the case of the massive tax and spending bill now before both chambers, the parliamentarian plays a critical role in advising whether the reconciliation bill's provisions remain focused on fiscal issues. How MacDonough became the first woman in the job MacDonough, an English literature major, is the Senate's first woman to be parliamentarian and just the sixth person to hold the position since its creation in 1935. She began her Senate career in its library before leaving to get a law degree at Vermont Law School. She worked briefly as a Justice Department trial attorney before returning to the Senate in 1999, this time as an assistant in the parliamentarian's office. She was initially appointed parliamentarian in 2012 by Democrat Harry Reid of Nevada, Senate majority leader at the time. She was retained by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., when he became majority leader in 2015. She helped Chief Justice John Roberts preside over Trump's 2020 Senate impeachment trial and was beside then-Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., for Trump's second trial the following year. Trump was acquitted both times. When Trump supporters fought past police and into the Capitol in hopes of disrupting Congress' certification of Joe Biden's Electoral College victory, MacDonough and other staffers rescued those ballots and hustled mahogany boxes containing them to safety. MacDonough's office on the Capitol's first floor was ransacked and declared a crime scene. Can the Senate ignore the parliamentarian's advice? Yes. The parliamentarian makes the recommendation, but it's the presiding officer overseeing Senate proceedings who rules on provisions in the bill. If there is a dispute, it would be put to a vote. Michael Thorning, director of structural democracy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank, said he doubts Republicans will want to go that route. And indeed some Republican senators said as much Thursday. 'It's the institutional integrity, even if I'm convinced one hundred percent she's wrong,' said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. Thorning said lawmakers from both parties view MacDonough as very much an honest broker. 'And the Senate relies on her,' Thorning said. 'Sometimes those decisions cut your way and sometimes they don't. I also think members recognize that once you start treating the parliamentarian's advice as just something that could be easily dismissed, then the rules start to matter less.' Have parliamentarians been fired? Majority leaders from both parties have replaced the parliamentarian. For more than three decades the position alternated between Robert Dove and Alan Frumin depending upon which party was in the majority. Thorning said the two parliamentarians weren't far apart, though, in how they interpreted the Senate's rules and precedents. MacDonough succeeded Frumin as parliamentarian. He said the small number of calls Thursday for her dismissal tells you all people need to know about the current parliamentarian. 'Senators know this isn't somebody playing politics,' Thorning said.
