Medicaid Still Stands a Chance After Senate Parliamentarian Weighs in on the GOP Bill
Briefly

In a significant setback for Senate Republicans, Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled that parts of the 'Big Plug Ugly' budget reconciliation bill, including the sale of public lands and Medicaid cuts, violate Senate rules. This decision, grounded in the Byrd Rule, requires Republicans to either amend the contested provisions or remove them from the bill altogether. With their slim majority at risk, this ruling complicates their strategy, highlighting challenges in passing this controversial legislation aimed at implementing severe budget cuts.
Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled that the sale of up to 3.3 million acres of public land is not permissible under the reconciliation bill's guidelines.
The Byrd Rule stands as a critical checkpoint in Senate proceedings, ensuring that certain budgetary provisions align with legislative appropriateness, thereby limiting the scope of reconciliation.
Republicans face significant challenges in passing the Big Plug Ugly due to Senate rules, specifically regarding proposed Medicaid cuts that MacDonough deemed outside permissible bounds.
MacDonough's ruling against the Republican strategy signals a substantial hit to their efforts, as they must now rework or abandon key provisions of the budget proposal.
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