With solely days left on the congressional calendar, federal lawmakers stay divided on a number of main points, together with Affordable Care Act subsidies, federal appropriations and proposals to manage school athletics. In this week’s D.C. Debrief, Scott Mitchell spoke with Washington Correspondent Alex Cameron about what stays stalled and what, if something, may nonetheless transfer earlier than 12 months’s finish.
What we learn about ACA subsidies
Cameron mentioned congressional talks on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies seem no nearer to an answer, regardless of bipartisan worries that premiums may rise for hundreds of thousands of Americans if the subsidies expire. Cameron mentioned moderates in each events need motion, however no proposal has gained widespread help.
Democratic leaders within the House and Senate are anticipated to advance a three-year extension of the present subsidies with out program adjustments. Cameron mentioned republicans are unlikely to help that method, although a parallel GOP invoice could also be provided to offer members political cowl. Neither measure is predicted to cross. Without a breakthrough, Cameron mentioned Congress is heading towards no extension, which Democrats may attempt to use to their benefit in subsequent 12 months’s elections.
Spending bills sluggish as deadlines method
Cameron mentioned progress on appropriations has slowed regardless of Senate efforts to assemble the subsequent minibus package deal. A procedural vote anticipated this week was postponed, and lawmakers are working out of time to advance remaining bills earlier than funding deadlines early subsequent 12 months.
Cameron mentioned conservative Senate Republicans oppose components of the compromise spending language, creating one other hurdle for appropriators, together with Oklahoma members who serve on key committees. If Congress can’t transfer the bills in December or January, one other shutdown standoff is feasible.
College sports laws pulls again
The Score Act, which is a invoice aimed toward addressing the fast-changing monetary and regulatory panorama in school sports, cleared an preliminary procedural step however was later withdrawn. Cameron mentioned each Republican and Democratic lawmakers raised considerations, together with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, which opposed the measure.
Cameron mentioned the problem is unlikely to vanish, pointing to rising public curiosity in school sports coverage and the chance of latest proposals subsequent 12 months.
With roughly two working weeks remaining, Cameron mentioned Congress nonetheless hopes to cross the annual National Defense Authorization Act, at the same time as different main points stay unresolved. Whether lawmakers can attain offers on subsidies or spending packages earlier than the vacation recess stays unclear.