Democrats plan to challenge parliamentarian on insulin cap

[AZProgressive]

Senate Democrats say they plan to challenge a ruling by the parliamentarian striking a proposal sponsored by Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) to cap insulin prices from the Inflation Reduction Act, according to a Democrat familiar with the plan.

As of now, Warnock’s proposal to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 a month is in the bill, but the parliamentarian is expected to rule on the Senate floor that it does not comply with the Byrd rule, which prohibits policymaking in budget reconciliation bills that have a tangential impact on spending and revenue.

But Democrats plan to challenge the parliamentarian’s ruling on the floor, which means they would need 60 votes to waive an objection to keeping the insulin provision in the bill.

Any effort to overturn the parliamentarian is not likely to get 10 Republican votes, but it will put Republicans on the record as opposing a $35 monthly cap on patients’ insulin costs, which Democrats can use as political ammo in the midterm elections.

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3591084-democrats-plan-to-challenge-parliamentarian-on-insulin-cap/

[Snackshack]

1. Who is this person...

That is not in an elected position from what I understand.

[BlueIdaho]

4. I know it's tough

But don’t blame the parliamentarian. It’s like shouting at the Ump. Their job is to call balls and strikes and make sure bills pass muster.

[jaxexpat]

9. I thought that was the job of Washington's own denizen , the conservative USSC justice.

[BlueIdaho]

12. Well, if you want to keep it out of the SC

The first step is to make sure it’s legit before the vote.

[Rebl2]

2. Who chooses

the parliamentarian? I think I read she has been in this position since 2012.

[lapucelle]

5. The current parliamentarian was appointed by Democrat Harry Reid in 2012. N/T

[Rebl2]

10. Think it's

time for a new one🤬

[lapucelle]

11. Why? N/T

[ripcord]

14. What exactly did she do wrong?

Disagreeing with you doesn't count.

[Rebl2]

16. She doesn't

like insulin cap.

[ripcord]

17. She is interpeting the rules, that's her job

She isn't making a personal judgement.

[Novara]

3. The Senate Parliamentarian:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentarian_of_the_United_States_Senate

An important role of the parliamentarian is to decide what can and cannot be done under the Senate's budget reconciliation process under the provisions of the Byrd Rule.[2] These rulings are important because they allow certain bills to be approved by a simple majority, instead of the sixty votes needed to end debate and overcome a filibuster.

The office also refers bills to appropriate committees on behalf of the Senate's Presiding Officer, and referees efforts by the ruling party to change the Senate rules by rulings from the chair. The parliamentarian is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Senate Majority Leader. Traditionally, the parliamentarian is chosen from senior staff in the parliamentarian office, which helps ensure consistency in the application of the Senate's complex rules. The last two parliamentarians have served under both Republican and Democratic Senate leaders.

[bigtree]

6. so no insulin cap

...what a f-d up country.

To the polls, people.

[BlueIdaho]

13. First make sure the GQP is on record

Hating diabetics - then go to the polls!

[momta]

7. It's about damn time!

We saw with the PACT vote how damaging it can be when the republicans vote against VERY popular provisions. This is one of many reasons the filibuster needs to GO! They should have to vote on all of the most radical positions they hold, and then go home and defend those votes to their constituents.

[rurallib]

8. I hope this is a vote that will be recorded

We can make sure newspapers carry that vote.

[3825-87867]

15. This is confusing

According to this article, a presiding officer has the power to overrule the parlimentarian.

MacDonough was a non-partisan appointment. She was named to that position by then Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid after serving in the Parliamentarian’s office since 1999. The Parliamentarian serves at the request of the leader of the majority faction in the House or Senate. In MacDonough’s case, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would have the ability to dismiss a Parliamentarian if he felt that was an appropriate action. That does happen rarely. In 2001, Trent Lott dismissed Robert Dove, the Senate Parliamentarian, after Republicans were angry that Dove, also a Republican appointee, disallowed spending measures as violating the Byrd Rule.

And on rare occasions, a presiding officer will overrule the Parliamentarian. In 1975, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller ignored advice from Senate Parliamentarian Floyd Riddick about the proper procedure for handing a vote about changing the Senate’s filibuster rules.

Maybe it can be done? Anyone?

https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/blog/who-is-the-senate-parliamentarian-and-what-does-she-do