Key Provisions Struck Down by Senate Rules
In a significant setback for Republican lawmakers, the Senate parliamentarian has ruled against several key provisions in the party's expansive legislative package, often referred to as the 'megabill.' This bill, tied to President Donald Trump's domestic policy agenda, aimed to push through sweeping changes across multiple sectors. However, the parliamentarian's rulings have forced the removal of measures related to gun silencer deregulation and school choice initiatives, citing violations of Senate budget reconciliation rules.
The specific provision on gun silencers sought to exempt silencers, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns from being classified as firearms under the National Firearms Act of 1934. The parliamentarian determined that this measure was primarily a policy change rather than a budgetary one, making it ineligible for inclusion in a reconciliation bill, which requires only a simple majority to pass. As a result, this deregulation effort has been stripped from the legislation.
School Choice and Religious School Subsidies Rejected
Another major component removed from the megabill was a provision aimed at creating a federal subsidy for private and religious schools, an unprecedented move in education policy. This measure included tax carve-outs for select religious colleges, such as Hillsdale College, which has ties to many Republican figures. The Senate parliamentarian ruled that this provision also failed to meet the criteria for budget reconciliation, as its primary impact was policy-driven rather than fiscal.
Additionally, efforts to introduce private school vouchers were invalidated under the same rationale. The parliamentarian's decision emphasized that these proposals would require 60 votes in the Senate to pass as standalone legislation, a threshold that Republicans currently cannot meet without bipartisan support. This ruling has sent GOP lawmakers back to the drawing board to find alternative ways to fund or reframe their education initiatives.
The rejection of these provisions has sparked frustration among Republican leaders who had hoped to deliver on campaign promises through this comprehensive bill. With President Trump pushing for the legislation to be finalized by July 4, time is of the essence for lawmakers to revise their strategy and address the budgetary constraints highlighted by the parliamentarian.
Broader Implications for GOP Legislative Agenda
The parliamentarian's rulings are part of a broader scrutiny of the megabill, with dozens of provisions already deemed ineligible for inclusion under the Byrd Rule, which governs what can be passed through budget reconciliation. Other rejected measures include cuts to food aid programs like SNAP, further complicating the GOP's efforts to balance the costs of their ambitious domestic policy goals.
These decisions underscore the procedural challenges facing Republicans as they navigate a narrowly divided Senate. While the reconciliation process allows them to bypass a filibuster, it also imposes strict limitations on what can be included in such bills. As the deadline approaches, GOP lawmakers must now prioritize which elements of their agenda can realistically be achieved within these constraints, potentially reshaping the final version of the megabill.