This is not an easy job, even in less partisan times. The Senate rules are old — like 18th century old. In addition, senators have layered on centuries of precedent that sometimes contradict the rules. There’s actually a big, thick book of precedents in the Senate. It’s the parliamentarian’s job to untangle all this and advise senators in a nonpartisan way during legislative battles on what they can and can’t do.

Source: Washington Post September 16, 2021 19:07 UTC