Trump Faces MAGA Revolt as Big Beautiful Bill Blows Up Over Medicaid

President Donald Trump was actively promoting his so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” on Thursday, but the legislation suffered a major setback in Congress.

Senate Republicans are still working to resolve key disagreements as they race to pass their version of the president’s domestic spending plan ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.

However, Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, who interprets which provisions comply with Senate rules under budget reconciliation, struck down clauses aimed at restricting the state provider tax used to fund Medicaid, along with measures limiting undocumented immigrants from accessing public benefits.

The Medicaid-related changes were part of the GOP’s strategy to offset the costs of making Trump’s tax cuts permanent.

“That’s a big old grenade,” said Senator Ron Johnson, who had already voiced opposition to a “one and done” bill and criticized its projected impact on the federal deficit.

MacDonough’s ruling has forced Senate Republicans back to the negotiating table on this contentious issue, which had already drawn criticism from Senators Josh Hawley, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski due to its potential harm to rural hospitals.

The setback has caused internal division among Senate Republicans. Senator Roger Marshall stated on Thursday that MacDonough had held her position too long and should be removed.

But Senate Majority Whip John Thune refused to override the parliamentarian’s decision. Other GOP senators backed his stance, including Senator Bill Cassidy, who emphasized the need for a “neutral arbiter.” Senator Collins also opposed any effort to overrule her.

“What people need to remember is what comes around goes around,” Collins said. “Today she might rule your way, tomorrow she might not.”

The White House responded by calling the setback “part of the process” and said it still expects President Trump to sign the bill next week.

“We expect that bill to be on the president’s desk for signature by July 4th,” said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Trump has been calling senators for support, including Senator Hawley during his return from the NATO summit, but he has not visited Capitol Hill personally, as he did during the House vote.

Senator Kevin Cramer laughed on Thursday, suggesting the president should come meet with GOP senators directly.

As Senate Republicans struggle to rewrite the bill to comply with reconciliation rules—requiring only 50 votes—House members are increasingly threatening to tank it if it returns in its current form.

MAGA-aligned members in the House were furious with the parliamentarian’s ruling.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene slammed the Senate’s effort on X, saying their intent was to “kick illegals off of Medicare and Medicaid,” but that the “UN-ELECTED Senate Parliamentarian used the Byrd Rule” to strip key Trump agenda items from the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Representative Greg Steube echoed the sentiment, asking, “How is it that an unelected swamp bureaucrat, appointed by Harry Reid over a decade ago, gets to decide what can and cannot go in President Trump’s bill?”

Representative Chip Roy also expressed frustration, warning that the Senate bill was veering off course after he was a hard sell on the House version, which passed by a single vote last month.

The parliamentarian still has other provisions in the draft to rule on, which could result in further setbacks. Senate Republicans acknowledged that the situation remains fluid.

Even before this latest blow, conservative House Republicans had threatened to oppose the bill if the Senate managed to pass it and send it back.

House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris posted on X that the Senate version “weakens key House priorities.” He criticized the handling of Medicaid provisions, insufficient rollback of clean energy tax credits, and a dramatic increase in the federal deficit.

“If the Senate tries to jam the House with this version, I won’t vote ‘present.’ I’ll vote NO,” he wrote.