NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF ARTICLE
The U.S. Senate voted Monday on a key provision in President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” that aimed to remove illegal immigrants from receiving Medicaid benefits. The measure fell short by a 56–44 vote, not because of lack of support, but due to a procedural shift that changed the required vote threshold from a simple majority to 60 votes.
The shift came from a ruling by the Senate Parliamentarian, a non-elected official responsible for interpreting legislative procedure. Citing the Byrd Rule, which governs what can be included in reconciliation bills, the Parliamentarian determined that the Medicaid-related provision could not pass under a simple majority, raising the bar to a supermajority vote.
This decision sparked backlash from conservative lawmakers and commentators. Many expressed frustration that an unelected bureaucrat could effectively block a policy with majority support. Critics took to social media, questioning the legitimacy of the Parliamentarian’s influence over what should be a straightforward vote on federal health benefits.
The provision would have prevented undocumented immigrants from accessing Medicaid, a central point in Trump’s proposed health care reforms. Supporters argued it would protect taxpayer resources and restore integrity to the system by ensuring benefits are reserved for American citizens and legal residents.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina voiced opposition to the broader bill, warning that some provisions could be misaligned with Trump’s original goals. Tillis, who recently announced he will not seek re-election, claimed the changes would harm Americans by compromising Medicaid eligibility standards. He also stated the President had been misled about parts of the bill.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed those criticisms during a press briefing, defending the bill’s provisions. She emphasized that the bill maintains protections for vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and the disabled, while implementing work requirements for able-bodied adults and cutting off fraudulent claims.
Leavitt said that the bill’s reforms would result in approximately 1.4 million illegal immigrants being removed from Medicaid, which she described as a necessary correction that aligns with Trump’s goals to eliminate waste and abuse in the system.
Despite the failure of the Medicaid-specific amendment, the larger bill continues to move through Congress. The House is expected to take up the Senate-passed version in the coming days, but internal disagreements remain. The final outcome is uncertain as lawmakers continue to debate both policy and process
