Republicans have a mess on their hands over health care subsidies – Axios

Axios, 24 hours ago – Politics & Policy

Republicans have a mess on their hands over health care subsidies – By Stef W. Kight,Kate Santaliz, and Hans Nichols

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson are both considering votes on GOP health care priorities next week — if they can figure out what those priorities are.

Why it matters: Democrats are unified in their demand for a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act’s enhanced subsidies, which expire Dec. 31. Republicans are still divided and debating their counter offers.

• Johnson (R-La.) has said he hopes to reveal a House GOP health care package early next week, though some sources are skeptical that will happen.
• Thune (R-S.D.) has promised Democrats a vote on their health care bill next week. But his conference is still in the idea stage on their counters, which are more likely to come as amendment or unanimous consent votes rather than a single broader GOP package.

Between the lines: Don’t expect any health care package to pass next week.

• The real question is whether the voting exercise in the Senate and maybe the House fuels ongoing bipartisan dealmaking — or hampers it.

Zoom in: Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is circulating a plan that would extend the expiring subsidies — but with a $200,000 income cap and no zero-dollar premium packages, Semafor’s Burgess Everett reports.

• Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) told Axios he hopes a GOP package will include moving the expiring subsidies into health care savings accounts and adding his bipartisan bill requiring more price transparency.
• Republicans are also again eyeing changes known as cost-sharing reductions, aimed at lowering premiums, but could cut subsidies for some enrollees.
• Multiple senators described the conversations as broad and fluid, with no real consensus this week on any one, single GOP package. And Hyde protections continue to be a sore spot, with some Republicans demanding increased assurances that subsidies aren’t used for abortions.

In the House, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) has been holding “listening sessions” with committee leaders and rank-and-file Republicans for weeks to find a consensus GOP plan.

• A bipartisan group of 35 centrist lawmakers , led by Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) and Josh Gottheimer, unveiled a two-year extension of the ACA subsidies Thursday, but it doesn’t have buy in from leadership.
• “We’re going to come up with something that I think even people like Jen would support,” Scalise said Thursday.

• House GOP leaders have also discussed proposals that would not extend the enhanced subsidies, but instead expand Association Health Plans, where employers band together to purchase health coverage for workers.

Continue/Read Original Article Here: Republicans have a mess on their hands over health care subsidies

#ACA #AffordableCareAct #Axios #Deadline #December312025 #GOP #healthCare #HealthSubsidies #HouseSpeakerMikeJohnson #JohnThune #MikeJohnson #RepublicanParty #Republicans #SenatorJohnThune #SenatorSusanCollins #SteveScalise #SubsidiesInJeopardy #USHouse #USSenate

Wait, what?!! #SenatorSusanCollins is actually concerned?!!!

Sen. Collins' bill would return #tariff control to Congress

April 8, 2025

"Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins is looking to reign in tariffs by reasserting congressional control.

"A bill she's sponsoring, backed by some Republicans and Democrats, requires a president to explain reasoning and impacts of new tariffs within 48 hours and all new tariffs would expire after 60 days unless Congress approved them.

"Senator Collins writes: 'The unilateral imposition of tariffs by the president without congressional oversight undermines Congress’ constitutional role and can have serious consequences for American workers and businesses.'

"The bill appears to have little chance of getting through the House side or if it got that far, overriding a certain presidential veto."

Source:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/sen-collins-bill-would-return-tariff-control-to-congress/ar-AA1CwbAY

#Tariffs #USPol #TrumpIsAnIdiot #SusanCollins #NotSoUseless?

#Maine protesters call out #SenatorSusanCollins for not holding a town hall in 25 years

Story by Allyson Lapierre, WGME, March 16, 2025

PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) -- "Dozens of protesters took to Congress Square Park in #PortlandME on Sunday, calling on Senator Susan Collins to hold a town hall for her constituents.

"The group #IndivisibleGreaterPortland says Senator Collins has not held a town hall for Mainers in over 25 years. So, on Sunday, the group held a town hall without her.

"Participants voiced concerns about federal cuts from #DOGE, #tariffs, and Trump's talk about taking over #Greenland and Gaza.

"'People are scared. People have questions. People need answers. People don't understand what's going on. Things are just moving too fast, and they're out of touch with their elected officials who basically are sending form letters and not explaining their votes,' Marie Follayttar, who attended the event, said.

"CBS13 reached out to Senator Collins for a response but did not hear back."

Source:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/protesters-in-portland-demand-town-hall-from-senator-collins/ar-AA1B2vel
#MaineResists #MaineResistance #Indivisible #MaineProtests #UselessSusanCollins #USPol

Hmmmm... So, here is #AngusKing's response to my concerns about #HR9495. I take it he's a "yea". I believe there were some concerns about the amendment S. 4136 that Senator King refers to. How robust are these protections? And again, WHO DEFINES WHAT IS A TERRORIST? Mad King Donald? smh (Oh, and #SenatorSusanCollins didn't even bother to reply -- I guess I'm still on her shit list. Ooops!)

"Thank you for sharing your views with me on S. 4136. I recognize there are concerns that this bill will impact civil liberties—rest assured; I share your determination to protect nonprofits from any political or religious targeting. That’s why I sponsored S. 4136 after I determined the bill contains robust procedural protections to ensure it’s only used to police nonprofits that provide material support to terrorist groups. In my view, a nonprofit should not benefit from its tax-exempt status if it is financing terrorism.

"I worked closely with my colleague, Senator Cornyn, on S. 4136. This bill would permit the Department of the Treasury to terminate the tax-exempt status of a nonprofit that provides material support to terrorist groups, designating them as a terrorist supporting organization.

"The Secretary of the Treasury would be required to submit proof that the nonprofit organization provided material support to a terrorist group and allow for a pre-decisional remediation process. Once the Treasury Secretary suspends a nonprofit’s tax-exempt status, the nonprofit may appeal to the IRS’s Independent Office of Appeals. Should the Independent Office of Appeals decide against the nonprofit, the nonprofit can appeal to the U.S. District Courts. A court may have to review classified information to make a final determination. In such a case, protecting national security may require the court to review evidence privately, without a defendant present, and procedures for conducting such review already exist in other national security laws.

"It is important to note that S. 4136 is a product of bipartisan negotiations to provide the Treasury with effective anti-terrorism authorities while protecting the rights of nonprofit groups through thorough legal processes. In November of last year, the House Ways and Means Committee thoroughly reviewed the House version of my bill and its provisions, sending it to the full House by a unanimous vote. The bill passed the House by a strongly bipartisan vote of 382 to 11. Congress rarely agrees on even the most commonsense measures, let alone passes a bill with such broad bipartisan support.

"I believe the extensive procedural safeguards protect this process from abuse; given that it is clear to me that a non-profit which is proven to be a conduit for funds to a terrorist organization should not enjoy tax exempt status.

"Thank you for contacting me on this important issue; please be in touch with other matters of importance to you that come before the Senate."

Blah, blah, blah. Was this written by #ChatGPT?!!

#StopHR9495 #SenatorAngusKing #SusanCollins