(Washington, D.C.) Senate Democrats agreed to a deal reopening the federal government without securing a concrete guarantee to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, setting up a separate vote on the issue next month. The temporary funding bill, expected to pass this week, would avoid a prolonged shutdown but frustrate Democrats who made ACA assistance central to their negotiating stance.
According to Axios, the Senate plans to hold a vote on extending the ACA’s enhanced tax credits by mid-December. Moderate Democrats, including Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Angus King of Maine, supported reopening the government, drawing criticism from progressives. Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York denounced the deal as “an unconditional surrender.”
The agreement funds the government through January and includes three full-year spending bills, one covering the FDA. President Donald Trump has opposed extending subsidies, suggesting direct payments to consumers instead. Some Republicans in competitive districts favor a compromise involving eligibility caps or anti-fraud provisions.
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