President Trump is fuming at Senate Republicans’ “soft game” as they side-step the hardball legislative tactics he says are needed to push his priorities through Congress.
His latest broadside came in a Wednesday social media post questioning why Republican senators refuse to get rid of the legislative filibuster and the Democrat-appointed parliamentarian who decides what policies can escape it.
Senate Republicans are considering dropping security funding for the president’s White House ballroom project from a filibuster-proof immigration enforcement package they hope to pass this week amid objections from the parliamentarian and several members of their conference.
“The Republicans play a very soft game compared to the Dumocrats,” Mr. Trump said, using his new nickname for Democrats. “It is their single biggest disadvantage in politics.”
The president privately urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to fire parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough earlier this week, before his Truth Social post Wednesday that questioned why Republicans allow her to stay in the role.
“Over the years, she has been brutal to Republicans, but not so to the Dumocrats — So why has she not been replaced?” Mr. Trump said. “There are many fair people who would be qualified for that vital job.”
Ms. MacDonough was appointed when Democrats controlled the White House and the Senate under Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. Her role is to serve as the nonpartisan rules referee.
She makes the final call on what policies can be included in reconciliation and which are still subject to the filibuster.
Ms. MacDonough ruled that $1 billion for the Secret Service that Republicans included in their reconciliation package was not exempt from the filibuster as written.
The provision explicitly said that some of the money would be used for security upgrades to the White House’s East Wing modernization project, which includes construction of a 1,000-seat ballroom.
Ms. MacDonough said appropriating funding for the project would fall under the jurisdiction of more committees than were provided instructions to write the bill.
Mr. Trump’s post did not specifically reference her ruling, but that is the only provision in the package still under dispute.
“Republicans allow the Elizabeth MacDonoughs of the World to stay in power, and brutalize us,” he said.
Senate GOP leaders have been trying to rewrite the Secret Service funding provision to comply with the budget reconciliation rules but are facing opposition within their ranks to any taxpayer funding for the ballroom project.
“My understanding is that the votes were not there,” Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy said after a Republican Conference lunch where senators discussed removing the $1 billion for the Secret Service from the bill.
Republicans cannot afford to lose more than 3 votes, and more GOP senators than that had expressed concerns about the ballroom security funding.
Mr. Thune said a final call had not yet been made on whether to remove the funding.
The Secret Service told lawmakers that only $220 million of the $1 billion would be spent on East Wing security features. The remaining would pay for other security upgrades across the White House campus, technology purchases and agent training.
Whether Republicans can retain some of the funding not designated for the East Wing is among the questions they are still trying to answer, Mr. Thune said.
They would still have to get Ms. MacDonough’s approval for any revision.
The Senate could vote to overrule the parliamentarian, but both parties have generally avoided doing so as they view such a move as akin to eliminating the filibuster.
The president’s desire to get rid of Ms. MacDonough is part of his broader frustration with Senate Republicans for refusing to eliminate the filibuster. He is convinced Democrats will do so if they regain control of the chamber.
Mr. Trump also referenced his frustration with Senate Republicans not eliminating the filibuster in a Tuesday post endorsing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for Senate over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.
His Wednesday post fired another warning shot at the Republicans who continue to defy his wishes.
“Get smart and tough Republicans, or you’ll all be looking for a job much sooner than you thought possible!” Mr. Trump said.
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