NEWS
NEWS

Health care subsidies still divide Congress as government shutdown nearer to an end

Updated

The Senate passed legislation Monday to reopen the government, bringing the longest shutdown in U.S. history closer to an end as a small group of mostly Democrats ratified a deal with Republicans, earning searing criticism from the Democratic party

House Democrats prepare to speak on the steps of the Capitol to insist that Republicans include an extension of expiring health care benefits
House Democrats prepare to speak on the steps of the Capitol to insist that Republicans include an extension of expiring health care benefitsAP

The 41-day shutdown could last a few more days as members of the House, which has been on recess since mid-September, return to Washington to vote on the legislation.

The bill is lacking is any clear resolution to expiring health care subsidies that Democrats have been fighting for as millions of Americans stare down rising insurance premiums. It's unclear whether the two parties would be able to find any common ground on the subsidies before a promised December vote in the Senate.

Some Republicans have said they are open to extending the COVID-19-era tax credits as premiums could skyrocket for millions of people, but they also want new limits on who can receive the subsidies.

President Donald Trump has signaled support for the bill to reopen the government, saying Monday, "we're going to be opening up our country very quickly."