President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are once again doubling down on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, a bill to tighten up regulations for voting.
Trump has reiterated his demands for a Senate parliamentarian to be fired, accusing her of unfairly holding Republicans back from advancing his agenda.
Trump on June 8 again urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to fire Elizabeth MacDonough, suggesting she will next impede GOP efforts in passing the SAVE America Act due to bias.
Thune has rejected the demand to fire MacDonough, suggesting that the real issue is securing enough votes rather than the parliamentarian’s rulings.
The legislation, which passed in the House but stalled in the Senate, would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, and photo identification to cast a ballot.
MacDonough was named to the role in 2012 by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat. She has remained in the nonpartisan position through both Democratic and Republican majorities.
As Senate parliamentarian, MacDonough serves as a nonpartisan advisor to the chamber on procedural issues, interpretation of Senate rules, and legislative activity.
One of her responsibilities is to advise on certain provisions or amendments of budget reconciliation bills, according to the Byrd rule.
The Senate parliamentarian’s ruling is advisory rather than binding, but lawmakers almost always follow such guidance when drafting legislation intended to pass with a simple majority vote.