Fresh Off Major Legislative Victory, McConnell And Ryan Barreling Toward Battle Over Health Subsidies
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) promised Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) he'd pass legislation that stabilizes the health law's marketplaces. House lawmakers, however, are furious over the guarantee. Meanwhile, a new fight over abortion becomes latest wrench in year-end spending deal.
Politico:
Ryan And McConnell Head For Clash Over Obamacare
Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are about to lock horns over Obamacare — part of a House-Senate clash that needs to be resolved by Friday to avert a government shutdown. McConnell promised moderate GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine that he would prop up President Barack Obama’s signature health law in a must-pass, year-end spending bill — so long as she backs tax reform. But Ryan’s more conservative conference is flatly rejecting that idea and urging the Wisconsin Republican to stand firm against his Senate counterpart. (Bade and Haberkorn, 12/19)
The Hill:
Abortion Fight Threatens Collins Deal, Risks Shutdown
A new fight over abortion has thrown a late obstacle into negotiations on the year-end stopgap spending deal days before a possible government shutdown. House Republicans say two ObamaCare measures that Senate GOP leaders are expected to attach to the stopgap as part of a deal with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) must include Hyde Amendment language prohibiting the use of federal funds for abortion. (Hellmann and Sullivan, 12/19)