Senate parliamentarian scraps GOP's Medicaid reforms in 'big beautiful bill'
Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON — On Thursday, Republicans were met with a new hurdle in their quest to pass President Trump’s anticipated “big beautiful bill.” The Senate parliamentarian decided that several proposed health care spending reforms would require 60 votes to pass, instead of the 51 votes targeted by the GOP. This ruling significantly jeopardizes the prospects of achieving the anticipated savings of hundreds of billions of dollars.

Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough concluded that certain Medicaid-related elements of the massive bill, such as adjustments to federal financial support for states concerning health care provider taxes, did not qualify for passage through reconciliation, which allows for a simple majority vote.

Additional provisions that were rejected involved reducing Medicaid eligibility for non-citizen adults and children and decreasing the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding for those states that permit non-citizens to access health care coverage, cutting it from 90% to 80%.

Still another section that failed to pass muster with MacDonough blocked federal funding for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to provide gender-transition medical care.

“The WOKE Senate Parliamentarian, who was appointed by Harry Reid and advised Al Gore, just STRUCK DOWN a provision BANNING illegals from stealing Medicaid from American citizens,” erupted Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). “This is a perfect example of why Americans hate THE SWAMP.”

“Unelected bureaucrats think they know better than U.S. Congressmen who are elected BY THE PEOPLE,” he added. “Her job is not to push a woke agenda. THE SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN SHOULD BE FIRED ASAP.”

“How is it that an unelected swamp bureaucrat, who was appointed by Harry Reid over a decade ago, gets to decide what can and cannot go in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill?” griped Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.).

“It is time for our elected leaders to take back control. [Vice President 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.”

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) determined that the House-passed version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which the Senate has been revising, would add up to $3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade.

House Republicans had previously boasted that as much as $1.6 trillion in spending cuts were included in their version of the tax-and-spending package.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) described MacDonough’s ruling as a “speed bump” in the bill’s progress.

Thune, 64, has indicated in the past that ignoring the parliamentarian would be tantamount to abolishing the 60-vote filibuster, a feature that sets the upper chamber apart from the lower and provides a check for the party out of power.

Vance, though president of the Senate, can’t overrule the parliamentarian’s decision outright either, but would need a vote by the full chamber.

Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, celebrated the ruling in a statement, sharing other provisions that had been struck down by the upper chamber’s referee.

“Democrats are continuing to make the case against every provision in this Big, Beautiful Betrayal of a bill that violates Senate rules and hurts families and workers,” Merkley (D-Ore.) said.

“Democrats are fighting back against Republicans’ plans to gut Medicaid, dismantle the Affordable Care Act, and kick kids, veterans, seniors, and folks with disabilities off of their health insurance – all to fund tax breaks for billionaires.”

Reconciliation legislation is subject to parliamentary scrutiny under the so-called “Byrd Rule” — named for former Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd — which requires bills to focus strictly on fiscal issues.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
The 22-day government shutdown is now the second-longest in US history

Historic Standoff: Unpacking the 22-Day Government Shutdown and Its Impact

The longest government shutdown on record spanned 35 days during the first…
National Guard Chicago news: Judge to consider extension of order temporarily blocking National Guard in Chicago area

Judge to Decide Fate of National Guard Deployment in Chicago: Temporary Block Extension Under Review

The unfolding story in Chicago has taken a significant turn, as a…
Charlotte man charged with Iryna Zarutska’s killing could face death penalty

Charlotte Resident Faces Potential Death Penalty in Connection with Iryna Zarutska’s Murder

The heart-wrenching case of Iryna Zarutska’s murder has taken a significant legal…
Wyoming Capitol bomb investigators focus on men seen in security video

Investigators Zero In on Individuals Captured in Security Footage in Wyoming Capitol Bomb Probe

Investigators in Wyoming are on the hunt for two individuals suspected of…
Celebrities from Prince Harry to Steve Bannon call for ban on AI 'superintelligence.' What is it?

Why Celebrities Like Prince Harry and Steve Bannon Are Demanding a Ban on AI Superintelligence

(NEXSTAR) – An open letter urging the cessation of progress in “superintelligence”…
Australian prime minister's plane makes emergency landing in St. Louis after leaving Washington

Australian Prime Minister’s Plane Makes Safe Emergency Landing in St. Louis Following Departure from Washington

On Tuesday night, a flight carrying Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had…
Former New York state trooper sentenced to 6 months in prison after faking his own shooting: 'disgraceful'

Ex-New York Trooper Jailed for Six Months Over Fake Shooting Incident: Described as ‘Disgraceful

A former New York state trooper received a six-month jail sentence on…
Baby humpback whale meets tragic end off New Jersey coast in suspected propeller strike

Tragic Loss: Young Humpback Whale Falls Victim to Suspected Propeller Accident off New Jersey Coast

A young humpback whale, found stranded near Long Beach Island, New Jersey,…
Pardoned Capitol rioter charged with threatening to kill Hakeem Jeffries

From Pardon to Peril: Capitol Rioter Now Accused of Threatening Hakeem Jeffries

Ahead of a planned speech by Congressman Hakeem Jeffries in New York…
Dad finds 13-year-old son dead after 200-foot fall from bluff inside popular National Park site

Tragic National Park Accident: Father Discovers Son’s Fatal 200-Foot Fall

In a heart-wrenching incident in Arkansas over the weekend, a father discovered…
St. Johns police reponds after student attacked on school bus

St. Johns Police Take Swift Action Following Alarming School Bus Incident

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement indicating that a…
Virginia GOP candidate holds debate with AI bot of opponent

Virginia GOP Candidate Engages in Historic Debate Against AI-Generated Opponent in Political First

An unexpected twist emerged in the Virginia lieutenant governor’s race on Tuesday…