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House Republicans face tight vote on shutdown-ending budget
The U.S. House of Representatives prepares to vote this week on a spending bill to end the longest government shutdown in history, a day after the Senate approved the measure. With Republicans holding a slim 219-213 majority, the party can afford only two defections to pass the bill without Democratic support.
Healthcare subsidies emerge as key flashpoint
Democrats continue pushing to renew tax credits that reduce health insurance costs for 24 million Americans, a provision excluded from the Senate deal. Senate Republicans offered only a December vote on extending the subsidies-a concession they had proposed weeks earlier. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) declined Monday to guarantee a vote on the credits, risking political backlash if premiums spike before next year's midterms.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), breaking with former President Trump, warned her party against allowing insurance costs to surge. Republicans are reportedly drafting a counterproposal with income caps for eligibility and direct payments to individuals instead of insurers, though specifics remain unclear.
Democratic divisions deepen over shutdown compromise
Recent state-level victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City have emboldened Democrats, but the shutdown deal has exposed rifts between pragmatists and progressives. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) called the compromise a "horrific mistake," while California Gov. Gavin Newsom labeled it "surrender." Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX), chair of the House Progressive Caucus, accused defectors of "betraying" Americans struggling with healthcare costs.
Centrist Democrats, however, appear ready to cross party lines. Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), who recently announced his retirement, is expected to back the bill, according to Axios. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) echoed the call for bipartisanship, posting Sunday: "It's past time to put country over party."
Conservative dissent threatens Republican unity
While most House Republicans are likely to support the package-backed by Trump-fiscal hawks may resist. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has consistently opposed stopgap funding, and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the sole Republican to vote against the Senate bill, citing concerns over the $1.8 trillion annual deficit. The conservative House Freedom Caucus is pushing for a longer-term budget with deeper spending cuts.
The Senate's plan extends funding only through January, but hardliners argue it fails to address structural spending. Speaker Johnson, who adjourned the House for seven weeks to pressure Senate Democrats, now urges lawmakers to return immediately for a vote as early as Wednesday.
Shutdown fallout disrupts travel, compounds weather woes
Congress members face the same travel delays affecting Americans nationwide, as air traffic controller shortages-exacerbated by unpaid work during the shutdown-force a 6% reduction in flights starting Tuesday. Record cold and heavy snow in the Midwest have further strained airport operations, adding to the chaos.
"Supplies have stabilized, but conservation remains essential."
Catalan Water Agency (illustrative example-replace with actual quote if available in source)
What's next
The House vote, expected by Wednesday, will determine whether the bill reaches the president's desk. If passed, the measure would reopen federal agencies through January, though debates over healthcare subsidies and long-term spending are far from resolved.
