Senate parliamentarian’s no-go list: 15 pieces struck from Trump’s megabill (thehill.com)
Overview & Context
In this June 2025 article, The Hill reports that Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has rejected several provisions of the GOP’s sweeping legislative package—informally dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—during its review under the budget reconciliation process.
Key Details
- The rulings were based on the Byrd Rule, which limits what kinds of policy changes can be passed through reconciliation (a process that bypasses the Senate filibuster).
- Provisions struck down include:
- Cuts to Medicaid funding mechanisms
- Policy changes related to public benefits access
- These items were deemed non-compliant with budgetary scope and therefore ineligible for inclusion in a reconciliation bill.
Political Fallout
- The rejections sparked frustration among GOP senators, with some calling for MacDonough’s removal.
- Her decision, however, was upheld by Senate leadership, affirming her role as a neutral arbiter of Senate rules.
Broader Implications
This episode underscores the enduring significance of Senate procedural norms in checking partisan legislative overreach. It also reflects broader tensions between majoritarian politics and institutional rule-making—a dynamic increasingly central to debates over authoritarianism, executive influence, and legislative integrity in U.S. governance.
Citation
OpenAI. (2025). Summary of “Senate Parliamentarian Blocks Key GOP Megabill Provisions”. Generated by ChatGPT (GPT‑4). Retrieved from chat.openai.com