After a failed attempt by Democrats to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits in exchange for reopening the government, the focus will now remain on ACA subsidies moving forward. The recent procedural vote to end the shutdown has paved the way for a vote on the stopgap funding bill on Monday. However, with House lawmakers facing potential travel delays due to the shutdown, the timeline for a vote in the House remains uncertain.
In the Senate, seven Democratic senators and one Independent voted in favor of the funding bill, including Angus King, Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jacky Rosen, Dick Durbin, and Tim Kaine. This bipartisan support signals progress towards resolving the government shutdown.
House Republicans will need to secure enough votes to pass the funding bill, with the margin for error very slim. The possibility of far-right House Republicans posing a challenge to the bill remains a concern, but the most challenging part of the process is now behind us.
As the government works towards reopening fully, the focus on ACA subsidies will continue into December and possibly beyond. The outcome of the upcoming House vote will be crucial in determining the next steps in addressing the government shutdown and ensuring the stability of healthcare subsidies for millions of Americans.
