In brief
Following the Senate's passage of a spending bill to end the government shutdown, attention now shifts to the House of Representatives, where there are significant hurdles to clear. Potential issues include divisions among House Republicans regarding healthcare provisions, the intensity of Democratic opposition, vote counts, and logistical delays faced by lawmakers returning to Washington. With a narrow margin for error and critical deadlines approaching, the likelihood of a swift resolution remains uncertain.
A day after the US Senate passed a spending bill to end the longest-ever government shutdown, the budget fight now moves to the House of Representatives. The lower chamber of Congress is expected to vote this week on the funding measure.Unlike in the Senate, if House Republicans stay united, they don't need any Democrats to pass the budget. But the margin for error is razor thin. Here are four potential hold-ups for the budget before it can clear Congress and land on the president's desk for signing into law.
Will House Republicans budge on healthcare?
A key sticking point throughout the shutdown has been a desire on the part of Democrats to attach to the spending bill a renewal of tax credits that make health insurance less expensive for 24 million Americans. Senate Republicans instead only agreed to offer Democrats a vote in December on whether to extend the subsidies – something they had already offered weeks ago. And House Speaker Mike Johnson has not committed to allowing a vote in his chamber on the tax credits.This entails a fair degree of political risk for Republicans, however. If they torpedo the subsidies, health coverage premiums could rise for millions, presenting Democrats with a ready-made campaign issue for the next midterm elections. Some moderate Republicans have begun to voice concerns about the potential backlash from constituents if health premiums escalate.How intense will House Democratic opposition be?
Democrats find themselves in a challenging position, balancing their frustrations with strategic interests in the wake of recent electoral victories. A significant faction of the party is adamantly opposed to appeasing Republican conditions in the funding bill.Do Republicans have the votes?
Republicans control the House with a very slim majority, leaving little room for dissent among party members. Certain fiscal conservative members may rise as substantial opposition, potentially complicating the vote.Will travel chaos delay the return to Washington?
Logistics remain a potential hindrance as lawmakers face significant travel delays amid a spike in flight cancellations due to winter weather and the extended shutdown, which could lead to further complications in reaching a resolution.
