The Senate began what is known as a vote-a-rama on Monday morning — a rapid series of votes on dozens of proposed amendments to Trump’s big, beautiful spending bill. As of 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the vote-a-rama was still ongoing.
One of the most disappointing results came on a measure seeking to block illegal immigrants from receiving Medicaid benefits, which failed by a vote of 56–44.
Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough had previously determined that the “Byrd Rule” applied in this case. Because a reconciliation bill — a type of budget bill — requires only a simple majority of 51 votes for passage, the Byrd Rule imposes restrictions on what provisions can be included. Measures deemed to be “extraneous” to the budget must secure a supermajority of 60 votes to pass. As a result, the proposal to remove undocumented immigrants from Medicaid failed by just four votes.
Many Americans, myself included, believe it is unfair to force taxpayers to subsidize the medical costs of individuals who are not legally authorized to be in the country. Doing so diverts limited resources away from programs intended to serve those who have paid into the system and drives up the overall cost of healthcare. As I see it, Medicaid should be reserved exclusively for citizens and lawful residents.
During a June 2019 MSNBC Democratic presidential primary debate, co-moderator Savannah Guthrie asked the candidates to raise their hands if their healthcare plans would cover undocumented immigrants. All ten candidates on the stage, including former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, raised their hands.
It was a shocking moment to say the least and it demonstrated just how far left the party had drifted.
Unfortunately, six years later, taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegals is a reality in many states. Newsweek reported in May that “14 states currently offer health coverage to people in the U.S. regardless of immigration status, including undocumented migrants.”
According to Newsweek, “These programs promote public health, reduce long-term costs, and align with moral obligations to care for vulnerable populations.”
These programs are also straining state and local budgets and giving foreigners one more reason to enter the U.S. illegally.
Many of us would have preferred that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) challenge the parliamentarian’s decision on this matter, but he chose not to act.
Nobody will be completely satisfied with every provision included in this massive, sweeping bill. However, nearly everyone will find something in it that aligns with their priorities or delivers tangible benefits.
As contentious and messy as the legislative process can be, and as much as we may disagree with some parts of it, passing this bill is absolutely critical. It is the cornerstone of President Trump’s entire domestic agenda. It includes his most important policy goals and (most of) the promises he made to the American people. Despite the inevitable compromises, this legislation represents a decisive step forward. Failure to pass it would not only stall his agenda; it would deliver a devastating blow to Trump’s presidency.
Elizabeth writes commentary for Legal Insurrection and The Washington Examiner. She is an academy fellow at The Heritage Foundation. Please follow Elizabeth on X or LinkedIn.
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