Fact Check: "MacDonough has been Senate Parliamentarian since 2012, appointed under a Democratic majority."
What We Know
Elizabeth MacDonough has served as the Senate Parliamentarian since 2012. She was appointed by then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, during a time when the Democratic Party held the majority in the Senate (AP News, Wikipedia). MacDonough is notable for being the first woman to hold this position, which has been critical in advising on the Senate's procedural rules and legislative processes (NPR).
Analysis
The claim that MacDonough has been the Senate Parliamentarian since 2012 and was appointed under a Democratic majority is supported by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press explicitly states that she was appointed by Harry Reid, confirming the timeline and the political context of her appointment. Furthermore, Wikipedia corroborates this information, detailing her role and the circumstances of her appointment.
The reliability of these sources is high; the Associated Press is a well-respected news organization known for its factual reporting, while Wikipedia, although user-edited, cites verifiable sources and is regularly updated to reflect accurate information. Additionally, NPR's coverage provides further context about her role and significance in the Senate, reinforcing the claim's validity (NPR).
Critically, there have been discussions about her rulings and the perception of partisanship, particularly from Republican lawmakers. However, these criticisms do not negate the factual accuracy of her appointment or the context in which it occurred. The role of the parliamentarian is intended to be nonpartisan, and MacDonough has been retained across different party majorities, indicating a level of trust in her impartiality (AP News, CNN).
Conclusion
The claim that "MacDonough has been Senate Parliamentarian since 2012, appointed under a Democratic majority" is True. The evidence clearly supports that she was appointed in 2012 by a Democratic majority leader and has maintained her position through subsequent changes in Senate leadership.
