Senate Faces Setback in its Efforts to Pass Trump's Bill Ahead of July 4 Deadline

What Happened?

Senate Republicans faced a huge setback on Thursday in their efforts to pass a massive spending bill ahead of President Donald Trump's proposed deadline.

A chamber official reportedly ruled against a key Medicaid provision that risks the chances of casting a vote by the end of the week prior to July 4.

The nonpartisan Senate parliamentarian questioned the GOP change to how states can tax Medicaid providers.

As a result, the parliamentarian determined it did not adhere to the rules for passing the bill with a simple majority.

The chamber also ruled against provisions prohibiting federal funding for programs such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) involving individuals whose immigration status may appear unknown.

Majority Leader John Thune said on Thursday that the Senate would support the parliamentarian's decision.

She advised that including those key provisions in the mega-bill would expose it to a Democratic filibuster, according to reports.

Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R) took to social media to express his frustrations.

Tuberville called for Elizabeth MacDonough to be fired 'ASAP' hours after she delivered the major ruling.

Why it Matters

House conservatives issued a warning that Trump’s 'big, beautiful bill' could run into problems amid key changes by the Senate.

The House reportedly viewed the Senate bill’s cuts surrounding Medicaid reductions as too aggressive.

If the Senate bill were to pass, billions of dollars would have been cut from various states, according to a circulated document.

Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri told NBC News it ran the risk of hurting rural hospitals.

House Republicans threatened to sink the first drafted changes proposed by the Senate if it were successful.

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., told Fox News on Tuesday that 'there’s real problems with it.'

The Senate's latest version of the bill also increases the U.S. debt limit higher than the previous $4 trillion to $5 trillion.

With the latest rejection concluding the parliamentarian's overview, any new changes by the Senate will more than likely miss Trump's proposed timeline.

Trump made it clear on Truth Social this week that Senate members should not go home, and 'GET THE DEAL DONE THIS WEEK.'

How it Affects You

House Speaker Mike Johnson waits anxiously for the Senate to vote on a blueprint version of the bill.

But it makes things more challenging if the Senate strays away from key measures that the House is in support of.

Any revisions now run the risk of failing back in the House with a narrow probability a second time around.

Millions of Americans could also be at risk pending the conclusions that Congress ends up agreeing on.