This December, things on Capitol Hill seem to be playing out in a familiar way.
Lawmakers are racing against a deadline (insert issue here). If they can’t reach an agreement by January 1, then (insert result here). So, naturally, there’s a lot of hustle and bustle in Congress as everyone tries to get things sorted out before the holiday break. Staffers and legislators alike are thinking hard, just hoping they can solve the issue in time.
There’s that lingering worry that Congress might act like the Grinch, stealing away the festive spirit.
But, thanks to a few determined folks behind the scenes, Congress often finds itself working late into the night or over weekends, trying to hammer out a solution before the deadline (insert problem here).
This recurring scenario isn’t new. Sure, there are some variations, but generally, it involves funding deadlines, the debt ceiling, or tax policies. For example, on Christmas Eve 2009, the Senate pushed through the initial version of Obamacare, while in December 2017, Republicans managed to pass their tax reform bill, albeit with some drama.
Lawmakers even rushed to pass a defense policy bill in late 2020, ensuring there was time to override President Trump’s veto before Congress wrapped up early in January 2021.
Many deadlines are politically charged. Presidents Clinton and Trump both aimed to finalize impeachment articles in December during their respective years.
Currently, as the political climate heats up, lawmakers seem unprepared to tackle the real issues behind a government shutdown. Democrats are insisting on addressing rising health care costs before agreeing to fund the government. With premiums set to hit new highs on January 1, there’s little consensus on passing a bill by year’s end.
Well, it’s still mid-December, and if history tells us anything, it often takes a bit for the Christmas spirit to settle in among lawmakers. This past Thursday saw the Senate reject competing health care proposals from both sides of the aisle, which may, just may, signal some movement.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called for a three-year extension of existing Obamacare subsidies, but without underlying reforms. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader John Thune (R-SD) described the Democrats’ proposal as something that just wouldn’t work and more of a political gesture.
Interestingly, some Republicans would rather abandon any health care plan altogether. It was actually a group of Senate Democrats who broke the filibuster last month to get a vote on health care—and not just amending it—for December.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) questioned what the GOP’s no-vote would convey to constituents, emphasizing that it would come off as inaction while premiums were rising.
The situation is certainly tense.
Now, as the price of health care climbs higher and higher, the Republicans are feeling pressed to take some action. Many in the party are backing a plan introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chair Michael Crapo (R-ID) and Senate Health Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA), which doesn’t renew Obamacare subsidies but allows for health savings accounts instead. In their estimation, this plan could lower premiums by about one percent—though some might say it’s just a small consolation.
Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) stressed that the issue at hand really isn’t about party politics but rather about making healthcare accessible for the people in Ohio and beyond.
There have even been discussions about potentially allowing a limited extension of Obamacare support in exchange for tighter abortion restrictions, which Chuck Schumer vehemently opposed.
This tug-of-war has added procedural hurdles—which require 60 votes to overcome—so unless a resolution can be found soon, both proposals might end up failing.
As Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) put it, they need a viable option before heading out for the holidays.
That’s the tricky part about this time of year—it often forces last-minute negotiations.
Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) pointed out that everyone wants to be home for Christmas, and that kind of pressure usually brings people together.
We’re about to see if lawmakers can align their efforts and address the pressing issue of soaring premiums during what should ideally be a festive season.
But, hey, lawmakers aren’t known for speed—this should have been resolved back in the summer. There’s a palpable sense of urgency now, though, with rising health care costs making the stakes clear.
One thing is certain: healthcare is a puzzling matter. According to Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD), it won’t just change overnight.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has promised a new health care bill soon, but everyone is uncertain about Congress’s ability to come together.
As Representative Susie Lee (D-NE) pointed out, there’s hesitation to collaborate across the aisle, especially without the president’s endorsement.
This could very well lead to Congress taking a break without addressing the urgent matter at hand.
Some believe that not having a vote will be politically damaging heading into midterm elections.
Representative Kevin Kiley (R-CA) warned that failing to act goes against the wishes of both the House and the general public.
This year’s script in Congress plays out similarly every time, but it’s still possible they may not wrap things up neatly.
If nothing gets done, both sides will likely blame each other publicly, reminiscent of Scrooge each holiday season.
And, well, that’s just how things often go.
