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Healthcare Update Monday marked the final day for individuals to enroll in ACA health exchanges for 2026. Congress has yet to reach a consensus on the future path. Enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire at the end of this month, leading to significant premium increases next year. As previously discussed, the key obstacles…

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Update The House subsequently passed the NDAA by a vote of 312 to 112, with 115 Democrats joining 197 Republicans in voting “aye.” The Senate considered the bill this week. One potential complication involves bipartisan objections led by Sens. Cruz (R-TX) and Cantwell (D-WA) to a provision that reverses safety…

FY26 Appropriations Update Senate leaders continue to face challenges in lifting the Republican holds on a five-bill minibus, which includes appropriations for Commerce-Justice-State, Defense, Interior, Labor-Health and Human Services (Labor-HHS), and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development. As highlighted in a previous Hill Update, some Senators are demanding the removal of the Labor-HHS bill and the elimination…

This Week in Congress Congress is undertaking an extensive legislative agenda amid elevated tensions in the weeks preceding year-end. A significant driver of this tension is the impending expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, with substantial disagreement between Republicans in both chambers regarding their extension. Senate Democrats intend to propose a three-year…

FY 26 Appropriations Risk With government funding expiring January 30, Congress must act soon to pass the remaining nine appropriations bills. The Senate aims to advance a package of five major spending bills but has stalled due to concerns from fiscal conservatives. The House wants to approve less-controversial bills but likely will not move forward…

Healthcare Impasse After last month’s shutdown, Senate Democrats debated health care subsidies. Instead of a bipartisan deal, the Senate will consider partisan proposals: Democrats want a three-year extension of ACA subsidies, while Republicans propose direct payments to health savings accounts. Neither plan is expected to pass the 60-vote threshold, and ongoing talks are unlikely to…

Final Year End Item: Defense Bill Congress faces one remaining major task before year’s end: passing the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Both the House and Senate have approved their respective versions of the bill, and negotiations are underway to reconcile differences. The Trump administration advocated for a disputed provision that would override state…

Congress Reclaims Some Power Members of Congress are intensifying their inquiries with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding recent U.S. strikes on a suspected drug trafficking vessel, seeking clarification on the legal justification for the operation. Committees from both chambers, representing bipartisan interests, have requested classified briefings and are considering proposals to strengthen reporting requirements for…

Congressional Stock Trading? Congress is revisiting the issue of stock trading by lawmakers, with several bipartisan bills proposed to restrict or ban Members of Congress and their families from owning stocks and other financial assets. Rep. Luna (R-FL) has filed a petition requiring 218 signatures to force a vote on her bill, though House Speaker…

Congress and College Sports House Republicans are advancing the SCORE Act, a bill regulating college athlete compensation for name, image, and likeness (NIL). The legislation would prevent student-athletes from being classified as employees and grant antitrust exemptions to sports officials. Most House Democrats oppose the bill, citing insufficient student protections and excessive NCAA authority, and…