UMVA has learned that a major setback has been dealt to the Senate's reconciliation bill, with the Parliamentarian striking down three crucial provisions.
The development comes as a surprise, given that the House of Representatives had recently passed a Senate-approved package to fund the Department of Homeland Security, effectively ending the 75-day shutdown.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the provisions that were rejected included key funding for the Border Patrol, additional appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security, and measures related to Border Security, Technology & Screening.
The Senate Parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, made the rulings after meeting with Democrat and Republican staffers to review the reconciliation package, which had been put together by Senate Republicans as a $72 billion plan to fund ICE and Border Patrol.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the rejected provisions were deemed to violate Senate rules, forcing Republicans to go back to the drawing board and overhaul the language if they hope to get the bill on President Trump's desk by June 1.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the Senate Parliamentarian's rulings are a significant blow to Republicans, who will need to come up with new language to salvage their plans.
The setback is likely to cause delays and uncertainty, as Republicans scramble to regroup and find a way forward.
In a development that will be closely watched by lawmakers and observers, the Senate Parliamentarian's decisions have been seen as a major test of the reconciliation process.
UMVA has gathered that the rulings have sparked a flurry of activity, with Republicans working to come up with new proposals that will meet the Senate's rules.
