Senate Nears Passage of Bipartisan Deal with Key Players in Ongoing Discussions
The Senate is expected to pass the bipartisan deal on Monday, pending unanimous consent. The deal includes three full-year appropriations bills and a new CR for the rest of the government through Jan. 30. Progressive senators and Sen. Rand Paul are key players in ongoing discussions about the timing of the vote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that the speed of the final vote remains uncertain, especially regarding Sen. Paul's concerns about the hemp language in the bill. The House GOP leadership anticipates passing the deal once President Trump urges House Republicans to support it. House Republican leaders will provide a 36-hour notice before the vote.
While some House Democrats may oppose the funding bill, centrist Democrats like Reps. Jared Golden, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, and Henry Cuellar could consider voting for it. Rep. Cuellar emphasized the importance of putting the country over party to get the government working for the American people.
In other news, Reps. Sam Liccardo and Kevin Kiley are introducing a bill to extend ACA tax credits for two years, capping eligibility at six times the poverty level income. The bill aims to address "upcoding" in Medicare Advantage and penalize brokers submitting false ACA enrollment applications. Additionally, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna revealed that Speaker Mike Johnson plans to advance bipartisan stock trading restrictions once the government reopens, despite opposition from some Republican House members.