Capitol agenda: Parallel pushes for an 11th-hour health deal

Rank-and-file dealmakers in both chambers are making last-ditch attempts to extend key Obamacare subsidies this week, even as it becomes crystal clear the subsidies will expire first. House GOP moderates are hashing out what sort of extension to offer as an amendment at Tuesday afternoon’s Rules meeting — even as they signal they will fall […]

House Oversight delays Clintons’ Epstein testimonies

Bill and Hillary Clinton were scheduled to give depositions this week on Capitol Hill about their ties to Jeffrey Epstein, but their appearances have been officially punted into January. It sends a strong signal members of Congress will continue to investigate the late, convicted sex offender — even as the Justice Department is due to […]

Senate Banking will not vote on crypto bill this week

Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott is abandoning a push to hold a committee vote on a major cryptocurrency bill this week, punting the issue to next year. A spokesperson for the South Carolina Republican said in a statement Monday that the panel “is continuing to negotiate and looks forward to a markup in early 2026.” […]

No. 2 House Democrat Katherine Clark gets primary challenger

Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark, the No. 2 House Democratic leader, will face a challenge from the left in 2026. Jonathan Paz, an organizer and former Waltham city councilor, announced his campaign against Clark, the Democratic whip, in a video posted late Sunday night emphasizing the need to “rebuild” the Democratic party. “I’m challenging one of […]

Capitol agenda: House GOP at the Obamacare cliff

House Republicans are set to mark their final session week of 2025 with a muddled health care message that’s poised to have a big impact — a nationwide spike in insurance costs after Obamacare subsidies expire in less than three weeks. — The plan: GOP leaders are eyeing a Wednesday vote on a package of […]

15 years into Obamacare, the GOP health care message is as muddled as ever

With key Obamacare tax credits set to expire within weeks, Democrats have unified behind a simple message: extend the subsidies and keep health insurance premiums from spiking for more than 20 million Americans. Republicans, meanwhile, have engaged in a wide-ranging blame game while scrambling to coalesce behind an easily digestible plan to lower health care […]

Shapiro backs Brooks in primary for top Dem target

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is endorsing firefighter union head Bob Brooks in the state’s 7th Congressional District — the potential 2028 presidential contender putting his thumb on the scale in a crowded primary for a seat that’s among Democrats’ top targets to flip in the midterms. Shapiro’s endorsement, shared first with POLITICO, comes as the […]