President Donald Trump had a simple message for the Senate amid the unelected parliamentarian’s opposition to provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill.
While Vice President J.D. Vance was dispatched to Capitol Hill, where a tie-breaking vote was needed to advance the bill, only two GOP lawmakers maintained their “nays”: Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis. As a reading of the bill was called for on the floor ahead of debate and a vote as early as Monday, the president said “NO!” to heeding the review by Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough.
Taking to Truth Social Sunday afternoon, Trump wrote, “Great Congressman Greg Steube is 100% correct. An unelected Senate Staffer (Parliamentarian), should not be allowed to hurt the Republicans Bill. Wants many fantastic things out. NO! DJT.”
In response to the myriad reports of MacDonough, appointed by late Nevada Sen. Harry Reid (D), contending that numerous provisions in the OBBB violated the Byrd Rule on what could be included in the budget reconciliation process requiring a mere majority threshold to pass instead of 60 votes, the Florida Republican asked late last week, “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?”
“The Senate Parliamentarian is not elected. She is not accountable to the American people. Yet she holds veto power over legislation supported by millions of voters,” continued Steube, who called for the vice president to step in. “It is time for our elected leaders to take back control. @JDVance should overrule the Parliamentarian and let the will of the people, not some staffer hiding behind Senate procedure, determine the future of this country.”
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?
The Senate Parliamentarian is not elected. She is not accountable to the American people. Yet she… https://t.co/y2loBAMENc
— Congressman Greg Steube (@RepGregSteube) June 26, 2025
After it was reported that Senate Leader John Thune (R-SD) would not remove the parliamentarian or overrule her determinations, Steube added, “This is why Americans have lost faith in Congress and why they don’t trust Republicans to deliver. Heaven forbid we remove a Democrat parliamentarian blocking Trump’s agenda.”
This is why Americans have lost faith in Congress and why they don’t trust Republicans to deliver.
Heaven forbid we remove a Democrat parliamentarian blocking Trump’s agenda. https://t.co/NTfkId2HiW
— Congressman Greg Steube (@RepGregSteube) June 27, 2025
At the beginning of April, Thune made the case that it was up to the chair of the Senate Budget Committee, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham (R), to determine whether or not the legislation adhered to the rules.
He said during a press conference at the time, “We think the law is very clear, and ultimately the budget committee chairman makes that determination,” before Senate Whip John Barrasso (WY) added, “As the leader just said, the law seems to me to be very clear: It’s not a ruling by the parliamentarian. The budget chair gets to decide which baseline to use.”
Whether or not the provisions would make it into the final passage remains to be seen, and Graham maintained over the weekend, “If you like higher taxes, open borders, a weak military, and unchecked government spending, this bill is your nightmare.”
“The Big Beautiful Bill contains all of President Trump’s domestic economic priorities. By passing this bill now, we will make our nation more prosperous and secure,” he added.
— Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) June 28, 2025
As for concerns from the legislature, should some of the measures not make the final cut, the president expressed, “For all cost cutting Republicans, of which I am one, REMEMBER, you still have to get reelected. Don’t go too crazy! We will make it all up, times 10, with GROWTH, more than ever before.”
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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