Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has unexpectedly become a central figure in Washington. Her recent rulings blocked major parts of Donald Trump’s tax and immigration bill, disrupting Republican efforts to pass legislation quickly. The bill, titled the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’, was meant to move forward using the budget reconciliation process.

Why Republicans Are Angry

Republicans were using reconciliation to pass legislation with a simple majority, avoiding the 60-vote threshold needed to break a Senate filibuster. However, the Byrd Rule limits what can be included in such bills. It excludes provisions that do not directly affect the budget.

Last Thursday, MacDonough ruled that several parts of the GOP bill violated the Byrd Rule. She blocked proposed cuts to Medicaid and Medicare for undocumented immigrants, a ban on federal funds for transgender healthcare, and attempts to limit state-level provider taxes that increase federal Medicaid funding.

These exclusions may cost the bill up to $250 billion in savings, making it harder for Republicans to fund other parts of their plan.

Republicans Demand MacDonough’s Removal

MacDonough’s ruling triggered immediate anger among Republican lawmakers.

Senator Tommy Tuberville wrote on X, “Unelected bureaucrats think they know better than U.S. Congressmen who are elected BY THE PEOPLE.” He demanded she be fired “ASAP.”

Representative Greg Steube questioned why someone appointed over a decade ago could block national policy. Senator Roger Marshall suggested she shows a left-leaning bias. He added, “The parliamentarian doesn’t answer to anybody.” He also called for term limits for the role.

Representative Keith Self compared her to activist judges, writing, “The rogue Senate Parliamentarian should be overruled.” Dan Crenshaw called this “a hill we should fight for.”

Still, top Republicans like Senator John Cornyn and Majority Leader John Thune have ruled out removing her. Cornyn said, “We’re doing the usual process of trying to figure out how to achieve the same goal without having to go there.”

What Does the Parliamentarian Do?

The Senate parliamentarian’s office was created in 1935. The job is to interpret complex Senate rules and procedures. Although the parliamentarian’s rulings are advisory, they usually influence the final decisions.

Under reconciliation, the parliamentarian decides whether proposals meet budget rules. If not, those parts must be removed unless the Senate presiding officer ignores the advice — something rarely done.

Michael Thorning, from the Bipartisan Policy Center, explained, “Sometimes, those decisions cut your way, and sometimes, they don’t.”

MacDonough’s Record of Unpopular Rulings

MacDonough has faced criticism before — from both parties.

In 2021, she rejected two major Democratic plans: one to raise the minimum wage to $15 and another to allow temporary status for undocumented immigrants in a climate bill.

In 2017, her rulings also blocked Republican efforts to repeal Obamacare, though she approved lowering the individual mandate penalty to zero, helping Republicans pass their tax cuts.

Even when lawmakers disagree with her, they often respect the office. Senator Kevin Cramer said, “It’s the institutional integrity, even if I’m convinced 100% she’s wrong.”

Who Is Elizabeth MacDonough?

Elizabeth MacDonough, the U.S. Senate Parliamentarian since 2012, has recently become the focus of Republican anger after she blocked key parts of Donald Trump’s major tax and immigration bill—the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"—by ruling they violated the Byrd Rule governing budget reconciliation. Her decision halted up to $250 billion in savings and derailed the GOP’s fast-track legislative plans, prompting several Republican lawmakers to call for her removal, accusing her of political bias. However, top Republican leaders like Senators John Cornyn and John Thune have rejected those calls, opting to work within Senate rules. MacDonough, a nonpartisan figure with a long track record of making rulings unpopular with both parties, is widely respected for her deep legal knowledge and her role in preserving the Senate’s procedural integrity, even as some lawmakers now push to limit her power.

MacDonough started in the Senate library and later earned a law degree from Vermont Law School. She worked as a trial attorney for the Department of Justice, then joined the parliamentarian’s office in 1999.

In 2012, then-Majority Leader Harry Reid appointed her as the first female Senate parliamentarian. She continued under both Democratic and Republican leadership, including Mitch McConnell and now John Thune.

She played a key role during both of Donald Trump’s impeachment trials and even helped secure the Electoral College votes during the January 6 Capitol riot.

Her office was ransacked during the attack and declared a crime scene.

Can the Senate Overrule Her?

Yes — but it’s rare. The presiding officer can reject her advice, and the Senate can vote to support or overturn that decision.

In 2017, Senator Ted Cruz suggested Vice President Mike Pence should override her advice to repeal Obamacare. But Republicans didn’t back the idea.

The last parliamentarian fired was Robert Dove in 2001 by Senator Trent Lott, after a disagreement over reconciliation.

Experts warn against removing MacDonough. Michael Thorning said, “Once you start treating the parliamentarian’s advice as just something that could be easily dismissed, then the rules start to matter less.”