Senate Republicans Push to Oust Parliamentarian Over Ballroom Ruling, May 28

Senate Republicans are pushing to remove parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough after she blocked funding for White House ballroom security in a $70 billion immigration enforcement bill. The ruling stalled a top GOP priority and exposed deep divisions within the Republican conference over spending. The dispute signals how Trump’s agenda is fracturing Senate GOP unity heading into the midterm elections.

What MacDonough Ruled

The Senate parliamentarian struck down a provision that would have funded security for a White House ballroom renovation. The ballroom project was bundled into the $70 billion immigration enforcement bill alongside a $1.8 billion fund to finance claims of government mistreatment. MacDonough determined the provisions violated Senate budget rules. Her ruling blocked both items from the bill, stalling Republican efforts to pass the legislation.

Growing Pressure to Remove Her

Senate Republican aides report growing support to oust MacDonough after the ruling. Trump has pressured Senate Majority Leader John Thune to fire her. The push reflects frustration among Republicans who see the parliamentarian as blocking key White House priorities. Some GOP senators view her as an obstacle to their legislative agenda in an election year.

Cracks in Republican Unity

The ballroom dispute exposed broader tensions within the GOP. Senate Republicans grew angry over Trump’s $1.776 billion Treasury deal to compensate political supporters, including January 6 rioters. They also opposed Trump’s undisclosed decision to start a war with Iran. Senate leadership under Thune differs sharply from Trump on priorities and style. These fractures threaten Republican efforts to pass another major spending bill before August recess.

What Comes Next

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise are preparing a new spending bill called Reconciliation 3.0 that would increase Pentagon spending by hundreds of billions of dollars. Republicans aim to pass it before the August recess to boost their midterm message. Success would show GOP unity. Failure would highlight Republican divisions and give voters reason to seek an alternative.

Final Thoughts

The push to remove MacDonough reveals Republican fractures over Trump’s spending priorities. With Senate leadership already at odds with Trump on multiple fronts, removing the parliamentarian may not resolve deeper disagreements about the GOP’s legislative direction.

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