Senate Rulekeeper Deals Blow to Trump Tax Bill

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A Senate rulekeeper determination that several major provisions focused on cutting Medicaid spending violate the chamber’s rules deals a heavy blow to Senate Republicans’ tax and spending bill.

Senators have been scrambling to finalize their tax bill—a major priority for President Donald Trump—this week to meet a self-imposed July 4 passage deadline. The chamber’s independent rulekeeper’s decision, announced early Thursday in a release from Senate Budget Committee ranking member Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), could delay lawmakers’ attempts to pass the legislation (H.R. 1) under reconciliation without needing Democratic support.

The rulings from Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough could result in more than $250 billion in health care cuts being removed from the bill, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, said in a statement.

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