Senate Parliamentarian Challenges Trump's Major Tax Bill

Mon Oct 20 2025 06:23:49 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate parliamentarian, raises concerns over provisions in Trump's sweeping tax legislation, igniting calls for her removal among some Republicans.

The Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, has objected to parts of Trump's ambitious tax bill, highlighting potential violations of Senate rules. Her findings threaten the passage of the bill by the president's self-imposed July 4 deadline, leading to debates within the Republican party over her position and the future of the legislation.

The role of Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, while not widely recognized, has placed her at the forefront of a contentious debate surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump's expansive tax bill. Known informally as the "big beautiful bill," this controversial legislation spans 1,000 pages and aims to significantly reduce spending while extending tax cuts. However, several key provisions have been flagged by MacDonough as likely to contravene Senate rules, casting doubt on billions of dollars in proposed cuts.

Republicans had hoped to expedite the bill's passage ahead of the July 4 deadline set by Trump but are now facing complications due to MacDonough's rulings. Some party members are even calling for her dismissal, a move that clashes with longstanding traditions in the Senate. At stake are crucial changes to social programs, including proposed cuts to Medicaid and amendments to SNAP, which have become focal points of contention.

MacDonough, who made history as the first woman to serve in this role since her appointment in 2012, has a lengthy background in Senate operations and law. Despite her previous appointment by a Democratic senator, she has advised both Republican and Democratic-controlled Senates. Most recently, her judgments helped shape the narratives surrounding legislation, as seen when she previously dealt with calls for a minimum wage increase.

Critics within the Republican party, such as Senator Tommy Tuberville, have openly expressed their frustration, with some suggesting that MacDonough's rulings undermine the will of the voters who supported Trump. Others, like Kansas Senator Roger Marshall, have proposed term limits for the parliamentarian, referencing the historical precedent of dismissing the position during previous reconciliations.

Despite the pressure to act, Senate Republican Leader John Thune has counseled against dismissing or overruling MacDonough, describing her rulings as temporary obstacles rather than insurmountable hurdles. He has indicated that the senators still have routes available to realize their budgetary commitments through revisions of the original bill.

As discussions remain ongoing, the next step after Senate approval will involve sending the adjusted legislation back to the House, where initial reactions toward potential changes have been mixed. However, the White House maintains its firm stance on meeting the July 4 deadline, emphasizing the importance of moving the bill forward amidst these procedural challenges.

The uncertainty surrounding MacDonough's rulings and the bill's fate reflects a larger struggle within the Republican party to achieve unified consensus on significant legislative goals. Whether senators can rally behind a revised bill in time will determine if history will see this proposed "big beautiful bill" fulfill President Trump's ambitions for tax reform and economic strategy.