Senate parliamentarian rejects GOP attempt to authorize states to conduct immigration enforcement

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Hill

06/23/25 8:20 AM ET


The Senate parliamentarian has rejected several more provisions in the Republican megabill to enact President Trump’s agenda, including language authorizing states to conduct border security and immigration enforcement, which traditionally have been duties of the federal government.

Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough also ruled against language in the bill that would increase the Federal Employees Retirement Systems contribution rate for new civil servants if they do not agree to give up civil service protections to become at-will employees.

Additionally, the parliamentarian advised against a section of the bill that would allow the executive branch to reorganize federal government agencies — or eliminate whole agencies — without congressional oversight. The parliamentarian ruled these provisions violate the Byrd Rule and are not eligible to pass the Senate with a simple majority vote on the procedural fast track known as budget reconciliation.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, hailed the parliamentarian’s rulings. “There is no better way to define this Big Beautiful Betrayal of a bill than families lose, and billionaires win. Democrats are on the side of families and workers and are scrutinizing this bill piece by piece to ensure Republicans can’t use the reconciliation process to force their anti-worker policies on the American people,” Merkley said in a statement.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5363923-senate-parliamentarian-rejects-trump-provisions/

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Link to Senator Merkley (Senate Budget Committee (D) Ranking Member) PRESS RELEASE - “One Big, Beautiful Bill” Has More Provisions That Violate the Byrd Rule, According to Senate Parliamentarian


TALLY OF ITEMS STRIPPED BY PARLIAMENTARIAN SO FAR (plus the OP)

(Agriculture Committee) - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143482891
(Banking, Environmental, Armed Services Committees) - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143482360
(Judiciary Committee) - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143483730
(Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143484256

[Srkdqltr]

1. Will trump be getting rid of the parliamentarian soon?

[Fiendish Thingy]

3. Trump has no authority to fire the parliamentarian

That is strictly an internal senate matter.

Thune has said he will not seek a vote to override the parliamentarian’s rulings.

This may be the escape hatch some republicans have been wishing for.

[Srkdqltr]

6. When has that ever stopped them? Him?

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. What if he tried to fire the entire senate? Would that work?

Don’t buy into the myth that Trump is omnipotent, and the states, congress and the people are powerless.

[Srkdqltr]

9. He may try. Wouldn't that be fun to watch? Actually no, we dont need that.

[ananda]

5. Wow, I have the same question.

Somebody is doing their job, and Trump won't like it.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. She works for a different Branch - the Legislative (Senate)

But I wouldn't be surprised if 45 pressures the GOP loons to get rid of her. They GOP Congress is already attempting to defund the other watchdogs under their purview (e.g., GAO).

[cstanleytech]

2. It's a Big Pile Of Shit Bill.

[Miguelito Loveless]

4. They will overrule the parliamentarian

then fire them, and replace them with a mental case with no experience.