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Let’s be clear: the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” is anything but.
This sweeping piece of legislation—officially known as H.R. 1—was rushed through the House and is now in the hands of the Senate. It’s being pushed as a win for American families, but beneath the surface, it threatens vital programs like Medicaid, balloons the national debt, and quietly undercuts protections many of us rely on.
And here’s the catch: instead of facing a full debate, lawmakers are trying to push this bill through using a process called budget reconciliation—a shortcut that allows them to bypass the usual 60-vote threshold in the Senate.
That’s where the Byrd Rule comes in.
The Byrd Rule exists to prevent unrelated, non-budgetary items from being snuck into reconciliation bills. It’s named after the late Senator Robert Byrd, and it’s one of the few tools we have to keep massive legislation like this accountable to the American people.
- Points of Order: Any senator can raise a point of order if they believe a provision in a reconciliation bill violates the Byrd Rule.
- The Parliamentarian’s Role: The Senate Parliamentarian advises the presiding officer on whether the provision is indeed a violation.
- “Byrd Bath”: The process of reviewing reconciliation bills for potential Byrd Rule violations is often referred to as a “Byrd Bath”.
- Removal of Extraneous Matter: If the point of order is sustained, the extraneous provision is removed from the bill, but the rest of the bill can still be considered.
- Waiver: It’s possible to waive the Byrd Rule with a three-fifths vote (60 votes) of the Senate.
We’re calling on voters—especially those in states with Republican Senators—to demand a real and rigorous Byrd Bath. That means holding the bill up to scrutiny, stripping out anything that doesn’t belong, and refusing to let this become another bloated handout to the wealthy at the expense of working families.
Several GOP Senators—like Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Josh Hawley—are already signaling concern. They need to hear from you. Loudly.
Take Action:
Call your Senator. Email. Tag them. Ask one question:
“Will you demand a Byrd Bath before H.R. 1 moves forward?”
Because democracy isn’t just about voting every two or four years. It’s about showing up when it counts—and this counts.
Want to understand the Byrd Rule in full? Read the full Senate document here.
Felicia Ray Owens
Felicia Ray Owens is a media founder, cultural strategist, and civic advocate who creates platforms where power meets lived truth. As the voice behind C4: Coffee. Cocktails. Culture. Conversation and the founder of FROUSA Media, she uses storytelling, public dialogue, and organizing to spotlight the issues that matter most—locally and nationally.
A longtime advocate for community wellness and political engagement, Felicia brings experience as a former Precinct Chair and former Chief Communications Officer of Indivisible Hill Country. Her work bridges culture, activism, and healing through curated spaces designed to inspire real change.
Learn more at FROUSA.org
