Finally, we have a convergence of Republican control of the presidency and the two chambers on Capitol Hill that will allow for some much-needed budget trimming.
And just when we get to the point where a budget correction is slated to happen, the Senate parliamentarian makes a ridiculous ruling that blocks the Republicans from effectuating a good deal of their fiscal cuts.
This is enormously significant because most bills require 60 votes in the Senate to pass due to the potential to filibuster. There is an exception, however, come budget time for what’s called reconciliation. Traditionally, budget matters that are financial in nature only require 51 votes (or 50 votes plus the vice president).
The key question, however, is what is considered budgetary. And that can often come down to a subjective determination. And that determination is made by the parliamentarian. That is why it is so crucial to have an impartial parliamentarian who rules with a sense of fairness and kicks partisanship to the curb.
However, this parliamentarian, who was appointed by far-left liberal Democrat Senate leader Harry Reid years ago, is preventing the Republicans from implementing a good portion of their cost reduction plan
She is, for instance, ridiculously ruling that cutting funds for Medicaid for illegal aliens is somehow not budgetary in nature and would require 60 votes.
The senators have the ability to remove her. That’s an extreme measure that should only occur in the most unusual circumstances, but this is one of them. These are not close calls. If spending money on Medicaid for illegal immigrants is not budgetary in nature, then we don’t know what is.
She has to go, and the Republicans are entitled to make these cuts. Otherwise, elections have no meaning.