Thune Responds to Trump’s Demand to Dismiss Obama-Era Parliamentarian
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss the House-passed border security funding bill, Senate procedural battles, and efforts to advance President Trump’s agenda.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has responded to President Donald Trump’s demand for the immediate dismissal of Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate parliamentarian appointed during the Obama administration. Thune argues that firing MacDonough would not facilitate the passage of the SAVE America Act, as Republicans currently lack the necessary votes.
“For me, it’s a function of math,” Thune stated during a FOX Business interview on Wednesday.
He elaborated that even under reconciliation, the focus must be on budgetary matters rather than policy. The SAVE America Act would require a 60-vote threshold, not the simple majority of 51 votes, meaning MacDonough would enforce the existing rules.
Thune highlighted a recent ruling that favored Republicans, where MacDonough determined that a Democratic-backed weaponization amendment would also need 60 votes to pass, rather than a simple majority.
FURY ERUPTS AS UNELECTED SENATE ‘SCOREKEEPER’ BLOCKS TRUMP’S AGENDA
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks to reporters following the weekly Senate luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on December 17, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Thune noted that had the threshold been set at 51 votes, an anti-weaponization amendment could have been attached to the bill, potentially jeopardizing its passage in the House and the president’s ability to sign it into law. “You win some, you lose some with a parliamentarian,” he remarked.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump urged Thune to dismiss MacDonough, claiming she “treats Republicans and everything they stand for horribly!”
TED CRUZ SAYS THE DEM PARTY IS EMBROILED IN ‘CIVIL WAR’ AFTER ‘RADICAL LEFT’ TAKEOVER
President Donald Trump waves after his arrival at Ocala International Airport, in Ocala, Fla. on May 1. (Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Trump further criticized MacDonough, stating, “Just the other night, she ruled against us on a proposal that would have easily been approved, and should have been, by anyone else.” He insisted that Republicans retain the right to replace her to facilitate the SAVE Act.
This Trump-backed legislation aims to mandate proof of citizenship for Americans registering to vote in federal elections. Additionally, Trump has advocated for eliminating the Senate filibuster, a topic Thune addressed during his appearance on “Mornings With Maria.”
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., discusses calls for congressional Republicans to use reconciliation to eliminate the filibuster on ‘Kudlow.’
Thune concluded by stating, “[That’s something] we don’t have the vote to do and, on that issue, it’s not even close.” He emphasized that there likely aren’t even half of Senate Republicans in favor of such a move.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss the House-passed border security funding bill, Senate procedural battles, and efforts to advance President Trump’s agenda.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has responded to President Donald Trump’s demand for the immediate dismissal of Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate parliamentarian appointed during the Obama administration. Thune argues that firing MacDonough would not facilitate the passage of the SAVE America Act, as Republicans currently lack the necessary votes.
“For me, it’s a function of math,” Thune stated during a FOX Business interview on Wednesday.
He elaborated that even under reconciliation, the focus must be on budgetary matters rather than policy. The SAVE America Act would require a 60-vote threshold, not the simple majority of 51 votes, meaning MacDonough would enforce the existing rules.
Thune highlighted a recent ruling that favored Republicans, where MacDonough determined that a Democratic-backed weaponization amendment would also need 60 votes to pass, rather than a simple majority.
FURY ERUPTS AS UNELECTED SENATE ‘SCOREKEEPER’ BLOCKS TRUMP’S AGENDA
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks to reporters following the weekly Senate luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on December 17, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Thune noted that had the threshold been set at 51 votes, an anti-weaponization amendment could have been attached to the bill, potentially jeopardizing its passage in the House and the president’s ability to sign it into law. “You win some, you lose some with a parliamentarian,” he remarked.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump urged Thune to dismiss MacDonough, claiming she “treats Republicans and everything they stand for horribly!”
TED CRUZ SAYS THE DEM PARTY IS EMBROILED IN ‘CIVIL WAR’ AFTER ‘RADICAL LEFT’ TAKEOVER
President Donald Trump waves after his arrival at Ocala International Airport, in Ocala, Fla. on May 1. (Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Trump further criticized MacDonough, stating, “Just the other night, she ruled against us on a proposal that would have easily been approved, and should have been, by anyone else.” He insisted that Republicans retain the right to replace her to facilitate the SAVE Act.
This Trump-backed legislation aims to mandate proof of citizenship for Americans registering to vote in federal elections. Additionally, Trump has advocated for eliminating the Senate filibuster, a topic Thune addressed during his appearance on “Mornings With Maria.”
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., discusses calls for congressional Republicans to use reconciliation to eliminate the filibuster on ‘Kudlow.’
Thune concluded by stating, “[That’s something] we don’t have the vote to do and, on that issue, it’s not even close.” He emphasized that there likely aren’t even half of Senate Republicans in favor of such a move.
