diff --git a/libsepol/cil/src/cil_build_ast.c b/libsepol/cil/src/cil_build_ast.c
index a5afc267..521c3012 100644
--- a/libsepol/cil/src/cil_build_ast.c
+++ b/libsepol/cil/src/cil_build_ast.c
@@ -6108,77 +6108,47 @@ void cil_destroy_src_info(struct cil_src_info *info)
 	free(info);
 }
 
-int __cil_build_ast_node_helper(struct cil_tree_node *parse_current, uint32_t *finished, void *extra_args)
+static int check_for_illegal_statement(struct cil_tree_node *parse_current, struct cil_args_build *args)
 {
-	struct cil_args_build *args = extra_args;
-	struct cil_db *db = args->db;
-	struct cil_tree_node *ast_current = args->ast;
-	struct cil_tree_node *tunif = args->tunif;
-	struct cil_tree_node *in = args->in;
-	struct cil_tree_node *macro = args->macro;
-	struct cil_tree_node *optional = args->optional;
-	struct cil_tree_node *boolif = args->boolif;
-	struct cil_tree_node *ast_node = NULL;
-	int rc = SEPOL_ERR;
-
-	if (parse_current->parent->cl_head != parse_current) {
-		/* ignore anything that isn't following a parenthesis */
-		rc = SEPOL_OK;
-		goto exit;
-	} else if (parse_current->data == NULL) {
-		/* the only time parenthesis can immediately following parenthesis is if
-		 * the parent is the root node */
-		if (parse_current->parent->parent == NULL) {
-			rc = SEPOL_OK;
-		} else {
-			cil_tree_log(parse_current, CIL_ERR, "Keyword expected after open parenthesis");
-		}
-		goto exit;
-	}
-
-	if (tunif != NULL) {
+	if (args->tunif != NULL) {
 		if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TUNABLE) {
-			rc = SEPOL_ERR;
 			cil_tree_log(parse_current, CIL_ERR, "%s is not allowed in tunableif", (char *)parse_current->data);
-			goto exit;
+			return SEPOL_ERR;
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (in != NULL) {
+	if (args->in != NULL) {
 		if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TUNABLE ||
 			parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_IN) {
-			rc = SEPOL_ERR;
 			cil_tree_log(parse_current, CIL_ERR, "%s is not allowed in in-statement", (char *)parse_current->data);
-			goto exit;
+			return SEPOL_ERR;
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (macro != NULL) {
+	if (args->macro != NULL) {
 		if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TUNABLE ||
 			parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_IN ||
 			parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_BLOCK ||
 			parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_BLOCKINHERIT ||
 			parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_BLOCKABSTRACT ||
 			parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_MACRO) {
-			rc = SEPOL_ERR;
 			cil_tree_log(parse_current, CIL_ERR, "%s is not allowed in macro", (char *)parse_current->data);
-			goto exit;
+			return SEPOL_ERR;
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (optional != NULL) {
+	if (args->optional != NULL) {
 		if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TUNABLE ||
 			parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_IN ||
 			parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_BLOCK ||
 			parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_BLOCKABSTRACT ||
 			parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_MACRO) {
-			rc = SEPOL_ERR;
 			cil_tree_log(parse_current, CIL_ERR, "%s is not allowed in optional", (char *)parse_current->data);
-			goto exit;
+			return SEPOL_ERR;
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (boolif != NULL) {
+	if (args->boolif != NULL) {
 		if (parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_TUNABLEIF &&
 			parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_CALL &&
 			parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_CONDTRUE &&
@@ -6189,338 +6159,320 @@ int __cil_build_ast_node_helper(struct cil_tree_node *parse_current, uint32_t *f
 			parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_TYPETRANSITION &&
 			parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_TYPECHANGE &&
 			parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_TYPEMEMBER) {
-			rc = SEPOL_ERR;
-			if (((struct cil_booleanif*)boolif->data)->preserved_tunable) {
+			if (((struct cil_booleanif*)args->boolif->data)->preserved_tunable) {
 				cil_tree_log(parse_current, CIL_ERR, "%s is not allowed in tunableif being treated as a booleanif", (char *)parse_current->data);
 			} else {
 				cil_tree_log(parse_current, CIL_ERR, "%s is not allowed in booleanif", (char *)parse_current->data);
 			}
-			goto exit;
+			return SEPOL_ERR;
 		}
 	}
 
-	cil_tree_node_init(&ast_node);
+	return SEPOL_OK;
+}
 
-	ast_node->parent = ast_current;
-	ast_node->line = parse_current->line;
-	ast_node->hll_offset = parse_current->hll_offset;
+static struct cil_tree_node * parse_statement(struct cil_db *db, struct cil_tree_node *parse_current, struct cil_tree_node *ast_parent)
+{
+	struct cil_tree_node *new_ast_node = NULL;
+	int rc = SEPOL_ERR;
+
+	cil_tree_node_init(&new_ast_node);
+	new_ast_node->parent = ast_parent;
+	new_ast_node->line = parse_current->line;
+	new_ast_node->hll_offset = parse_current->hll_offset;
 
 	if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_BLOCK) {
-		rc = cil_gen_block(db, parse_current, ast_node, 0);
+		rc = cil_gen_block(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, 0);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_BLOCKINHERIT) {
-		rc = cil_gen_blockinherit(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_blockinherit(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_BLOCKABSTRACT) {
-		rc = cil_gen_blockabstract(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_blockabstract(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_IN) {
-		rc = cil_gen_in(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_in(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CLASS) {
-		rc = cil_gen_class(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		// To avoid parsing list of perms again
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_class(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CLASSORDER) {
-		rc = cil_gen_classorder(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_classorder(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_MAP_CLASS) {
-		rc = cil_gen_map_class(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_map_class(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CLASSMAPPING) {
-		rc = cil_gen_classmapping(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_classmapping(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CLASSPERMISSION) {
-		rc = cil_gen_classpermission(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_classpermission(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CLASSPERMISSIONSET) {
-		rc = cil_gen_classpermissionset(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_classpermissionset(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_COMMON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_common(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_common(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CLASSCOMMON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_classcommon(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_classcommon(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_SID) {
-		rc = cil_gen_sid(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_sid(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_SIDCONTEXT) {
-		rc = cil_gen_sidcontext(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_sidcontext(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_SIDORDER) {
-		rc = cil_gen_sidorder(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_sidorder(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_USER) {
-		rc = cil_gen_user(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_user(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_USERATTRIBUTE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_userattribute(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_userattribute(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_USERATTRIBUTESET) {
-		rc = cil_gen_userattributeset(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_userattributeset(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_USERLEVEL) {
-		rc = cil_gen_userlevel(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_userlevel(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_USERRANGE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_userrange(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_userrange(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_USERBOUNDS) {
-		rc = cil_gen_bounds(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_USER);
+		rc = cil_gen_bounds(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_USER);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_USERPREFIX) {
-		rc = cil_gen_userprefix(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_userprefix(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_SELINUXUSER) {
-		rc = cil_gen_selinuxuser(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_selinuxuser(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_SELINUXUSERDEFAULT) {
-		rc = cil_gen_selinuxuserdefault(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_selinuxuserdefault(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TYPE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_type(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_type(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TYPEATTRIBUTE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_typeattribute(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_typeattribute(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TYPEATTRIBUTESET) {
-		rc = cil_gen_typeattributeset(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_typeattributeset(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_EXPANDTYPEATTRIBUTE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_expandtypeattribute(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_expandtypeattribute(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TYPEALIAS) {
-		rc = cil_gen_alias(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_TYPEALIAS);
+		rc = cil_gen_alias(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_TYPEALIAS);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TYPEALIASACTUAL) {
-		rc = cil_gen_aliasactual(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_TYPEALIASACTUAL);
+		rc = cil_gen_aliasactual(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_TYPEALIASACTUAL);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TYPEBOUNDS) {
-		rc = cil_gen_bounds(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_TYPE);
+		rc = cil_gen_bounds(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_TYPE);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TYPEPERMISSIVE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_typepermissive(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_typepermissive(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_RANGETRANSITION) {
-		rc = cil_gen_rangetransition(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_rangetransition(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_ROLE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_role(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_role(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_USERROLE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_userrole(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_userrole(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_ROLETYPE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_roletype(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_roletype(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_ROLETRANSITION) {
-		rc = cil_gen_roletransition(parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_roletransition(parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_ROLEALLOW) {
-		rc = cil_gen_roleallow(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_roleallow(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_ROLEATTRIBUTE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_roleattribute(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_roleattribute(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_ROLEATTRIBUTESET) {
-		rc = cil_gen_roleattributeset(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_roleattributeset(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_ROLEBOUNDS) {
-		rc = cil_gen_bounds(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_ROLE);
+		rc = cil_gen_bounds(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_ROLE);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_BOOL) {
-		rc = cil_gen_bool(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_FALSE);
+		rc = cil_gen_bool(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_FALSE);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_BOOLEANIF) {
-		rc = cil_gen_boolif(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_FALSE);
+		rc = cil_gen_boolif(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_FALSE);
 	} else if(parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TUNABLE) {
 		if (db->preserve_tunables) {
-			rc = cil_gen_bool(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_TRUE);
+			rc = cil_gen_bool(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_TRUE);
 		} else {
-			rc = cil_gen_tunable(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+			rc = cil_gen_tunable(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 		}
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TUNABLEIF) {
 		if (db->preserve_tunables) {
-			rc = cil_gen_boolif(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_TRUE);
+			rc = cil_gen_boolif(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_TRUE);
 		} else {
-			rc = cil_gen_tunif(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+			rc = cil_gen_tunif(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 		}
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CONDTRUE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_condblock(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_CONDTRUE);
+		rc = cil_gen_condblock(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_CONDTRUE);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CONDFALSE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_condblock(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_CONDFALSE);
+		rc = cil_gen_condblock(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_CONDFALSE);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_ALLOW) {
-		rc = cil_gen_avrule(parse_current, ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_ALLOWED);
-		// So that the object and perms lists do not get parsed again
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_avrule(parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_ALLOWED);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_AUDITALLOW) {
-		rc = cil_gen_avrule(parse_current, ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_AUDITALLOW);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_avrule(parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_AUDITALLOW);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_DONTAUDIT) {
-		rc = cil_gen_avrule(parse_current, ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_DONTAUDIT);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_avrule(parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_DONTAUDIT);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_NEVERALLOW) {
-		rc = cil_gen_avrule(parse_current, ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_NEVERALLOW);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_avrule(parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_NEVERALLOW);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_ALLOWX) {
-		rc = cil_gen_avrulex(parse_current, ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_ALLOWED);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_avrulex(parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_ALLOWED);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_AUDITALLOWX) {
-		rc = cil_gen_avrulex(parse_current, ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_AUDITALLOW);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_avrulex(parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_AUDITALLOW);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_DONTAUDITX) {
-		rc = cil_gen_avrulex(parse_current, ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_DONTAUDIT);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_avrulex(parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_DONTAUDIT);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_NEVERALLOWX) {
-		rc = cil_gen_avrulex(parse_current, ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_NEVERALLOW);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_avrulex(parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_AVRULE_NEVERALLOW);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_PERMISSIONX) {
-		rc = cil_gen_permissionx(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_permissionx(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TYPETRANSITION) {
-		rc = cil_gen_typetransition(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_typetransition(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TYPECHANGE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_type_rule(parse_current, ast_node, CIL_TYPE_CHANGE);
+		rc = cil_gen_type_rule(parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_TYPE_CHANGE);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_TYPEMEMBER) {
-		rc = cil_gen_type_rule(parse_current, ast_node, CIL_TYPE_MEMBER);
+		rc = cil_gen_type_rule(parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_TYPE_MEMBER);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_SENSITIVITY) {
-		rc = cil_gen_sensitivity(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_sensitivity(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_SENSALIAS) {
-		rc = cil_gen_alias(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_SENSALIAS);
+		rc = cil_gen_alias(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_SENSALIAS);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_SENSALIASACTUAL) {
-		rc = cil_gen_aliasactual(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_SENSALIASACTUAL);
+		rc = cil_gen_aliasactual(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_SENSALIASACTUAL);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CATEGORY) {
-		rc = cil_gen_category(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_category(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CATALIAS) {
-		rc = cil_gen_alias(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_CATALIAS);
+		rc = cil_gen_alias(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_CATALIAS);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CATALIASACTUAL) {
-		rc = cil_gen_aliasactual(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_CATALIASACTUAL);
+		rc = cil_gen_aliasactual(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_CATALIASACTUAL);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CATSET) {
-		rc = cil_gen_catset(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_catset(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CATORDER) {
-		rc = cil_gen_catorder(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_catorder(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_SENSITIVITYORDER) {
-		rc = cil_gen_sensitivityorder(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_sensitivityorder(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_SENSCAT) {
-		rc = cil_gen_senscat(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_senscat(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_LEVEL) {
-		rc = cil_gen_level(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_level(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_LEVELRANGE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_levelrange(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_levelrange(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CONSTRAIN) {
-		rc = cil_gen_constrain(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_CONSTRAIN);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_constrain(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_CONSTRAIN);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_MLSCONSTRAIN) {
-		rc = cil_gen_constrain(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_MLSCONSTRAIN);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_constrain(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_MLSCONSTRAIN);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_VALIDATETRANS) {
-		rc = cil_gen_validatetrans(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_VALIDATETRANS);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_validatetrans(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_VALIDATETRANS);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_MLSVALIDATETRANS) {
-		rc = cil_gen_validatetrans(db, parse_current, ast_node, CIL_MLSVALIDATETRANS);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_validatetrans(db, parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_MLSVALIDATETRANS);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CONTEXT) {
-		rc = cil_gen_context(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_context(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_FILECON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_filecon(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_filecon(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_IBPKEYCON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_ibpkeycon(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_ibpkeycon(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_IBENDPORTCON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_ibendportcon(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_ibendportcon(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_PORTCON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_portcon(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_portcon(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_NODECON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_nodecon(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_nodecon(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_GENFSCON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_genfscon(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_genfscon(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_NETIFCON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_netifcon(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_netifcon(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_PIRQCON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_pirqcon(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_pirqcon(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_IOMEMCON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_iomemcon(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_iomemcon(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_IOPORTCON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_ioportcon(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_ioportcon(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_PCIDEVICECON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_pcidevicecon(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_pcidevicecon(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_DEVICETREECON) {
-		rc = cil_gen_devicetreecon(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_devicetreecon(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_FSUSE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_fsuse(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_fsuse(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_MACRO) {
-		rc = cil_gen_macro(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_macro(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_CALL) {
-		rc = cil_gen_call(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_call(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_POLICYCAP) {
-		rc = cil_gen_policycap(db, parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_policycap(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_OPTIONAL) {
-		rc = cil_gen_optional(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_optional(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_IPADDR) {
-		rc = cil_gen_ipaddr(db, parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_ipaddr(db, parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_DEFAULTUSER) {
-		rc = cil_gen_default(parse_current, ast_node, CIL_DEFAULTUSER);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_default(parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_DEFAULTUSER);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_DEFAULTROLE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_default(parse_current, ast_node, CIL_DEFAULTROLE);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_default(parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_DEFAULTROLE);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_DEFAULTTYPE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_default(parse_current, ast_node, CIL_DEFAULTTYPE);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_default(parse_current, new_ast_node, CIL_DEFAULTTYPE);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_DEFAULTRANGE) {
-		rc = cil_gen_defaultrange(parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_defaultrange(parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_HANDLEUNKNOWN) {
-		rc = cil_gen_handleunknown(parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_handleunknown(parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_MLS) {
-		rc = cil_gen_mls(parse_current, ast_node);
-		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
+		rc = cil_gen_mls(parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else if (parse_current->data == CIL_KEY_SRC_INFO) {
-		rc = cil_gen_src_info(parse_current, ast_node);
+		rc = cil_gen_src_info(parse_current, new_ast_node);
 	} else {
 		cil_log(CIL_ERR, "Error: Unknown keyword %s\n", (char *)parse_current->data);
 		rc = SEPOL_ERR;
 	}
 
 	if (rc == SEPOL_OK) {
-		if (ast_current->cl_head == NULL) {
-			ast_current->cl_head = ast_node;
+		if (ast_parent->cl_head == NULL) {
+			ast_parent->cl_head = new_ast_node;
 		} else {
-			ast_current->cl_tail->next = ast_node;
+			ast_parent->cl_tail->next = new_ast_node;
 		}
-		ast_current->cl_tail = ast_node;
-		ast_current = ast_node;
-		args->ast = ast_current;
+		ast_parent->cl_tail = new_ast_node;
 	} else {
-		cil_tree_node_destroy(&ast_node);
+		cil_tree_node_destroy(&new_ast_node);
+		new_ast_node = NULL;
 	}
 
-exit:
-	return rc;
+	return new_ast_node;
 }
 
-int __cil_build_ast_first_child_helper(__attribute__((unused)) struct cil_tree_node *parse_current, void *extra_args)
+int __cil_build_ast_node_helper(struct cil_tree_node *parse_current, uint32_t *finished, void *extra_args)
 {
 	struct cil_args_build *args = extra_args;
-	struct cil_tree_node *ast = args->ast;
+	struct cil_tree_node *new_ast_node = NULL;
+	int rc = SEPOL_ERR;
 
-	if (ast->flavor == CIL_TUNABLEIF) {
-		args->tunif = ast;
+	if (parse_current->parent->cl_head != parse_current) {
+		/* ignore anything that isn't following a parenthesis */
+		return SEPOL_OK;
+	} else if (parse_current->data == NULL) {
+		/* the only time parenthesis can immediately following parenthesis is if
+		 * the parent is the root node */
+		if (parse_current->parent->parent == NULL) {
+			return SEPOL_OK;
+		} else {
+			cil_tree_log(parse_current, CIL_ERR, "Keyword expected after open parenthesis");
+			return SEPOL_ERR;
+		}
 	}
 
-	if (ast->flavor == CIL_IN) {
-		args->in = ast;
+	rc = check_for_illegal_statement(parse_current, args);
+	if (rc != SEPOL_OK) {
+		return SEPOL_ERR;
 	}
 
-	if (ast->flavor == CIL_MACRO) {
-		args->macro = ast;
+	new_ast_node = parse_statement(args->db, parse_current, args->ast);
+	if (!new_ast_node) {
+		return SEPOL_ERR;
 	}
 
-	if (ast->flavor == CIL_OPTIONAL) {
-		args->optional = ast;
+	args->ast = new_ast_node;
+
+	if (parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_BLOCK &&
+		parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_IN &&
+		parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_TUNABLEIF &&
+		parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_BOOLEANIF &&
+		parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_CONDTRUE &&
+		parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_CONDFALSE &&
+		parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_MACRO &&
+		parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_OPTIONAL &&
+		parse_current->data != CIL_KEY_SRC_INFO) {
+		/* Skip anything that does not contain a list of policy statements */
+		*finished = CIL_TREE_SKIP_NEXT;
 	}
 
-	if (ast->flavor == CIL_BOOLEANIF) {
+	return SEPOL_OK;
+}
+
+int __cil_build_ast_first_child_helper(__attribute__((unused)) struct cil_tree_node *parse_current, void *extra_args)
+{
+	struct cil_args_build *args = extra_args;
+	struct cil_tree_node *ast = args->ast;
+
+	if (ast->flavor == CIL_TUNABLEIF) {
+		args->tunif = ast;
+	} else if (ast->flavor == CIL_IN) {
+		args->in = ast;
+	} else if (ast->flavor == CIL_MACRO) {
+		args->macro = ast;
+	} else if (ast->flavor == CIL_OPTIONAL) {
+		args->optional = ast;
+	} else if (ast->flavor == CIL_BOOLEANIF) {
 		args->boolif = ast;
 	}
 
