Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) warned Senate Republicans not to overrule parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough if some desired border security provisions are thrown out.
Such a move would be akin to nuking the legislative filibuster, the new Republican leader said.
“Yeah, and that’s totally akin to killing the filibuster,” he told Punchbowl News on Friday. “We can’t go there. People need to understand that.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to Thune’s office for additional details.
Senate Republicans could seek out sweeping border policy changes that would be prohibited under reconciliation rules. Thune’s ruling should stop such a move that would step over the respected MacDonough. She’s served the Senate since 2012 and holds bipartisan praise.
Thune lauded her in 2015 when Republicans sought to repeal portions of Obamacare. “She’s been around a long time, so she’s very steeped in the traditions of the Senate and understands how it works here. If and when the time comes, I’m sure she’ll be ready to do her job,” he said then.
If Republicans choose to enact the budget reconciliation process, they’d only need their majority to pass legislation, though only if it addresses spending or revenue levels. They couldn’t change any policy. It would be up to MacDonough to rule if any changes should be ruled invalid, but lawmakers could overrule her with a majority.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
An easier route for Senate Republicans would be to lobby President-elect Donald Trump to enact border security executive orders that fit their needs. He’s expected to address immigration with his first moves in office as he did in 2017.
Thune’s backing of MacDonough is also another indication that he’ll be an ardent defender of the filibuster, even though Republicans hold a 53-seat Senate majority. However, backing MacDonough now is easier than doing so if she nixes Republican plans, and the GOP will have to measure whether having certain provisions is worth allowing a “backdoor filibuster” on principle.