{"id":2452475,"date":"2025-06-26T14:54:02","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T18:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-is-elizabeth-macdonough-meet-the-senate-parliamentarian\/"},"modified":"2025-06-26T14:56:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T18:56:22","slug":"who-is-elizabeth-macdonough-meet-the-senate-parliamentarian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-is-elizabeth-macdonough-meet-the-senate-parliamentarian\/","title":{"rendered":"Who is Elizabeth MacDonough? Meet the Senate parliamentarian"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwho-is-elizabeth-macdonough-meet-the-senate-parliamentarian%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2452475&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate parliamentarian, is facing criticism from Senate Republicans for her recent rulings on President TrumpS budget reconciliation bill. MacDonough ruled against several provisions in the bill that aimed to implement significant cuts to programs like Medicaid, which upset GOP members who are attempting to advance the legislation. Born in 1966,MacDonough has been in her role since 2012 adn is notable for being the first female to hold the position. Her job is nonpartisan, providing guidance on senate rules and procedures. Despite the backlash from some Republicans, others in GOP leadership express respect for her and do not support her removal from the position.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Who is Elizabeth MacDonough? Meet the Senate parliamentarian catching flak from GOP<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2157522\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Senate\">Senate<\/a> Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough is receiving pushback from Senate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Trump\">Republicans<\/a> over her recent rulings regarding President Donald <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a>&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >latest budget reconciliation bill<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>MacDonough ruled against provisions in Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;big, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-downplays-strategy-fight-after-huddle-with-senate-gop-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Trump downplays strategy fight after huddle with ... GOP - Washington Examiner\">beautiful bill&#038;rdquo<\/a>; on Thursday that would allow for massive cuts to programs such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/medicaid\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Medicaid\">Medicaid<\/a>. This angered Senate Republicans, who have been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/3454797\/gop-tax-bill-senate-parliamentarian-medicaid-savings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">working to push the bill<\/a> through.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3455275\/byrd-droppings-trump-tax-bill-provisions-ruled-out-senate-parliamentarian\/\">Byrd droppings: Trump tax bill provisions ruled out by Senate parliamentarian<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3455241\/trump-administration-consider-crypto-mortgage-collateral\/\">Trump administration takes key step to consider crypto holdings as collateral for mortgages<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3455318\/pay-down-the-debt-act-states-return-unused-grant-money-decrease-federal-debt\/\">New bill aims to allow states to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/byrd-droppings-trump-tax-bill-provisions-ruled-noncompliant\/\" title=\"Byrd droppings: ... noncompliant\">return unused grant money amid battle<\/a> to decrease federal debt&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Here&rsquo;s everything you need to know about the Senate parliamentarian.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Background<\/h2>\n<p>Elizabeth MacDonough, 59, was born on Feb. 16, 1966. She grew up close to Washington, D.C., and received her bachelor&rsquo;s degree from George Washington University in 1988 before starting a position as a legislative reference assistant in the Senate library in 1990. She left this position to attend Vermont Law School in 1995 and received her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-announces-new-legal-team-for-impeachment-defense-after-previous-team-collapsed\/\" title=\"Trump Announces New Legal Team For Impeachment Defense After Previous Team Collapsed\">law degree<\/a> from there in 1998.<\/p>\n<p>MacDonough then worked in the Department of Justice as a trial attorney who handled New Jersey immigration cases, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20090211162310\/http:\/\/vermontlaw.edu\/Career_Paths\/Alumni_Profiles\/Elizabeth_MacDonough.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">her biography<\/a> on the Vermont Law School website.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long has she been parliamentarian?<\/h2>\n<p>MacDonough started out as an assistant parliamentarian for the Senate in May 1999 before moving up to senior assistant parliamentarian three years later. She served in this position for a decade before her promotion to Senate parliamentarian in 2012, a role she has held for 13 years.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does she do as parliamentarian?<\/h2>\n<p>The Senate parliamentarian is a nonpartisan advisory position. The parliamentarian and his or her staff advise the presiding officer and senators from both parties on Senate rules, precedents, and statutes as they relate to proceedings, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/bipartisanpolicy.org\/explainer\/what-is-the-role-of-the-senate-parliamentarian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Bipartisan Policy Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The parliamentarian helps clarify any confusion or debate over Senate rules and precedents. Historically, a lot of time was wasted in such debates, so the position was established in 1935. The official is appointed by the Senate majority leader, and MacDonough is the first female parliamentarian and the sixth person to hold the position since its founding.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is her involvement with Trump&rsquo;s &lsquo;big, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mike-johnson-fights-to-keep-trumps-ear-as-house-agenda-stalls-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Mike Johnson fights to keep Trump\u2019s ear as House agenda stalls - Washington Examiner\">beautiful bill&#038;rsquo<\/a>;?<\/h2>\n<p>With a July 4 deadline to pass the bill, Republicans are scrambling to secure the votes of more fiscally conservative Republicans now that MacDonough has slashed cuts to healthcare provider taxes, federal Medicaid reimbursements, and immigrant eligibility for Medicaid. If these cuts were allowed, it&rsquo;s believed they would have saved hundreds of billions of dollars.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Republicans are split on their opinions of MacDonough and her recent rulings, with some calling for her removal, while others say they respect her rulings.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The WOKE Senate Parliamentarian, who was appointed by Harry Reid and advised Al Gore, just STRUCK DOWN a provision BANNING illegals from stealing Medicaid from American citizens,&rdquo; Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) said in <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SenTuberville\/status\/1938237688261333020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">a post<\/a> on X on Thursday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/3452054\/obamacare-abortion-funding-restriction-nixed-bill-parliamentarian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"OBAMACARE ABORTION FUNDING RESTRICTION NIXED FROM MEGABILL BY PARLIAMENTARIAN\">OBAMACARE ABORTION FUNDING RESTRICTION NIXED FROM MEGABILL BY PARLIAMENTARIAN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is a perfect example of why Americans hate THE SWAMP. Unelected bureaucrats think they know better than U.S. Congressmen who are elected BY THE PEOPLE,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;Her job is not to push a woke agenda. THE SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN SHOULD BE FIRED ASAP.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What could happen to her?<\/h2>\n<p>Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) said he believes members of GOP leadership respect the parliamentarian&rsquo;s role and that he doesn&rsquo;t believe they would try to remove her. &ldquo;We all have respect for the parliamentarian,&rdquo; he said, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/myfox8.com\/news\/politics\/hill-politics\/gop-senator-calls-for-senate-parliamentarian-to-be-fired-after-ruling-against-medicaid-cuts\/amp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">FOX8 WGHP<\/a>. &ldquo;I think that she&rsquo;s very fair, and I don&rsquo;t think that she should be fired, nor do I think she will be fired.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), whose role gives him the power to fire the parliamentarian if necessary, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3455156\/john-thune-rejects-gop-calls-sideline-senate-parliamentarian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">has already said<\/a> he will not be pursuing actions to overrule MacDonough.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2157522\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2157522\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who is Elizabeth MacDonough? The Senate parliamentarian facing GOP criticism for her recent decisions on Trump&#8217;s budget reconciliation bill, which included rejecting significant cuts to programs like Medicaid<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3842,"featured_media":2452476,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/senate-committee.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[57975,57976,33980],"class_list":["post-2452475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-elizabeth-macdonough","tag-senate-parliamentarian","tag-u-s-senate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/senate-committee.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2452475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3842"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2452475"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2452475\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2452480,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2452475\/revisions\/2452480"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2452476"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2452475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2452475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2452475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}