A Possible Republican Truce on Obamacare

A Possible Republican Truce on Obamacare-theatlantic: Last week, a pair of Republican lawmakers unveiled the world’s greatest health-care plan.  That’s not an endorsement, or even an opinion. It’s the title of the bill: H.R. 5284—The World’s Greatest Healthcare Plan Act of 2016.

Hillary's ObamaCare problem

Hillary's ObamaCare problem-thehill: Hillary Clinton is facing the problem of higher ObamaCare premium hikes in an election year.  ObamaCare premiums are expected to rise more sharply than they have in previous years, and Republicans are seizing on the issue for electoral advantage.

In House GOP, Ryan endorsement of Trump seen as inevitable

In House GOP, Ryan endorsement of Trump seen as inevitable-thehill: For Paul Ryan, it's not a matter of if he'll endorse Donald Trump. It's a matter of when.  GOP lawmakers, strategists and aides are convinced the House Speaker will endorse Trump before he’s officially nominated at the GOP convention in Cleveland in mid-July.

For Hill Policymakers, Trump’s Ignorance Can be Bliss

For Hill Policymakers, Trump’s Ignorance Can be Bliss-nationaljournal: Just weeks ago, Re­pub­lic­an law­makers mocked Don­ald Trump’s policy ig­nor­ance. Now that he’s their pre­sumptive nom­in­ee, they hope to cap­it­al­ize on it.

Bipartisan chemical bill runs into a Senate roadblock: Rand Paul

Bipartisan chemical bill runs into a Senate roadblock: Rand Paul-washingtonpost: A bipartisan measure that would overhaul the nation’s chemical safety laws seemed destined for the president’s desk this week — until Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) put a hold on it Thursday.

Rubio faces pressure to run for re-election as GOP fears grow over his Senate seat

Rubio faces pressure to run for re-election as GOP fears grow over his Senate seat-cnn: Top Republicans are becoming nervous that they may lose Marco Rubio's Senate seat and their tenuous majority in the chamber -- and now many want the Florida senator to reconsider his decision to leave office.

Where Things Stand as Congress Leaves Town

Where Things Stand as Congress Leaves Town-rollcall: Congress is heading out of town for Memorial Day recess, but lawmakers still have plenty of items on their to-do lists.

House GOP Conservatives, Moderates Seek Consensus on Budget

House GOP Conservatives, Moderates Seek Consensus on Budget-thehill: A group of House Republicans representing viewpoints from across the political spectrum met Tuesday to discuss new ideas for advancing a fiscal 2017 budget resolution.

House GOP to Unveil 2017 Agenda, but Will Trump Sign on?

House GOP to Unveil 2017 Agenda, but Will Trump Sign on?-morningconsult: House Republicans will unveil a series of policy proposals they aim to pass under a Republican president in the coming weeks. But the jury is out on whether the agenda will have the support of presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Newly powerful Sanders flexes Senate muscles

Newly powerful Sanders flexes Senate muscles-politico: Far away from the halls of Congress, as he continues to rankle Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail, Bernie Sanders is fashioning a new role for himself in the Senate: The next Dr. No.

In Congress These Days, There Are Many Vice Presidents

In Congress These Days, There Are Many Vice Presidents-wallstreetjournal: As the presidential primaries wind down, the Capitol Hill vice-presidential speculation machine, fueled by the limitless ambitions of 535 members of Congress, is only beginning to kick into gear.

A Renewed Push on Trade

A Renewed Push on Trade-nationaljournal: Two old trade hands are gearing up to get the Trans-Pacific Partnership approved by Congress this year, but it won’t be easy.

2016 GOP Vice Presidential Power Rankings

2016 GOP Vice Presidential Power Rankings-nationaljournal: Don­ald Trump may en­counter an un­usu­al prob­lem as he se­lects a run­ning mate: find­ing someone who ac­tu­ally wants the job.

Bill Popular With Hospital Groups Advanced by Key House Committee

Bill Popular With Hospital Groups Advanced by Key House Committee-morningconsult: The Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday advanced a bipartisan bill containing a hodgepodge of provisions related to hospitals. While the bill is popular with industry groups and House members, it’s unclear how much momentum it has on the other side of Capitol Hill.

House GOP changes rules to thwart Dems

House GOP changes rules to thwart Dems-thehill: Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is changing the way the House considers spending measures to try to prevent Democrats from offering surprise amendments that have recently put the GOP on defense.

The Congressional Contests to Watch Tuesday

The Congressional Contests to Watch Tuesday-nationaljournal: Voters head to the polls Tues­day in Geor­gia and Texas for the fi­nal slate of con­gres­sion­al con­tests be­fore a rush of con­sequen­tial June primar­ies.

House GOP budget 'SWAT' team is formed

House GOP budget 'SWAT' team is formed-thehill: A “SWAT team” of eight House GOP lawmakers has begun meeting to strike a last-ditch deal on a fiscal 2017 budget, Republican Study Committee Chairman Bill Flores (R-Texas) told The Hill on Monday.

Supreme Court Ruling Blocks Republican Redistricting Challenge

Supreme Court Ruling Blocks Republican Redistricting Challenge-The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that a group of Republican members of Congress can’t challenge a lower court ruling that found an unconstitutional gerrymander created the lines for Virginia’s majority-black 3rd District held by Democratic Rep. Robert C. Scott .

Tough votes loom for GOP under Ryan plan

Tough votes loom for GOP under Ryan plan-politico: Paul Ryan vowed when he took the speaker’s gavel last fall that the era of top-down, get-in-line leadership was over: Rank-and-file members would have their say, even if it meant a slower and messier legislative process.

Republicans Try to Flip the Script on Down-Ballot Democrats

Republicans Try to Flip the Script on Down-Ballot Democrats-morningconsult: After months of attacks by Democrats aimed at down-ballot Republicans over Donald Trump’s uncomfortable and controversial rise through the party’s ranks, the GOP is attempting to reverse the playbook.

Democrats expect Warren to play peacemaker once primary ends

Democrats expect Warren to play peacemaker once primary ends-thehill: Democratic senators expect Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) will soon make moves to mollify restive liberals and unify the Democratic Party behind Hillary Clinton.

GOP lawmakers unveil ObamaCare replacement bill

GOP lawmakers unveil ObamaCare replacement bill-huffingtonpost: Two Republican lawmakers on Thursday introduced an alternative to ObamaCare as the House develops its own healthcare plan. The bill from Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) does not fully repeal ObamaCare, a notable departure from the GOP’s long-stated goal.

House GOP Works on Budget Hail Mary

House GOP Works on Budget Hail Mary-rollcall: House Republicans are still trying to reach consensus on a budget resolution that would guide their spending decisions, with a new proposal being considered to shave $30 billion off the budget until the House passes at least 10 spending bills.

Bit player Sanders poised to become Senate force

Bit player Sanders poised to become Senate force-politico: Long a lonely voice of the left in the Senate, Bernie Sanders is poised to return to his day job as a potential kingmaker after a presidential campaign that made him a household name and hero of the progressive movement.

Democratic Senate Candidates Demand Vote on Garland Before Recess

Democratic Senate Candidates Demand Vote on Garland Before Recess-morningconsult: House Democrats running for the Senate have entered the fray over the Supreme Court, a decision that could help them come November.

How Senate Democrats are trying to deal with Sanders

How Senate Democrats are trying to deal with Sanders-thehill: Senate Democrats discussed how to handle Bernie Sanders and his supporters at a private caucus meeting on Tuesday.  The lawmakers met in a closed-door session days after Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) was shouted down at the Nevada Democratic convention, an incident that shook Democrats and raised fears about a chaotic fight at the party’s upcoming national convention that might cost the party the White House.

Wasserman Schultz faces million-dollar primary challenger

Wasserman Schultz faces million-dollar primary challenger-thehill: Tim Canova wants you to know he didn’t just come out of nowhere to challenge the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) for her House job.  The law professor says it has been years in the making, sparked by multiple phone calls to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz that weren’t returned.

Absent No More, Rubio is All Senate Business

Absent No More, Rubio is All Senate Business-rollcall: Once derided as an absentee senator while running for president, Marco Rubio appears to be fully present for the stretch run of his time in the Senate.

Senate Republicans Try Escaping Trump Vortex

Senate Republicans Try Escaping Trump Vortex-rollcall: Ron Johnson had a three-pronged plan to retake the initiative in his Wisconsin Senate race: Barnstorm the state, focus on local issues, and launch a biting new ad against his opponent.  By Monday, his rhetorical contortions about Donald Trump were driving the news instead.

Inside the GOP’s Plans to Overhaul Medicaid

Inside the GOP’s Plans to Overhaul Medicaid-morningconsult: There’s a lot of uncertainty about what will happen to the health care system under a new president, but Rep. Brett Guthrie is convinced that the country can’t go another four years without some changes to Medicaid.

House Challenge to Health Law Could Raise Premiums, Administration Says

House Challenge to Health Law Could Raise Premiums, Administration Says-nytimes: Victory for House Republicans in federal court last week could mean significantly higher health insurance premiums for millions of people if the decision is upheld on appeal, the Obama administration said Monday.

House begins work on spending bills despite budget impasse

House begins work on spending bills despite budget impasse-thehill: House Republicans are plowing ahead with their first spending bill of the year despite the lack of a budget resolution to guide them.

The Underground House Majority Fight

The Underground House Majority Fight-nationaljournal: On the last Wed­nes­day of April, as Don­ald Trump reveled on cable talk shows over his Acela primary sweep the night be­fore, some 60 Demo­crat­ic state le­gis­lat­ive cam­paign op­er­at­ives from around the coun­try gathered in a boutique hotel ball­room just off Scott Circle in Wash­ing­ton to kick-start the fi­nal six months of the elec­tion cycle—and fig­ure out how to take ad­vant­age of Trump’s pres­ence on the bal­lot.

Vermont to require drug makers to explain price increases

Vermont to require drug makers to explain price increases-AP: Vermont is poised to become the first state requiring drug companies to explain their price increases, and Bob and Deborah Messing think that's a good idea.

Centrist Democrats: We can work with President Trump

Centrist Democrats: We can work with President Trump-politico: As Democrats portray Donald Trump as a dangerous leader for his party, most of them barely acknowledge he could be president. But some centrist Democrats say they’re ready and willing to work with the business mogul should he defeat their party’s nominee.

Paul Ryan isn’t yet endorsing Trump, but these nine House chairmen are

Paul Ryan isn’t yet endorsing Trump, but these nine House chairmen are-washingtonpost: While national attention has been lavished on House Speaker Paul D. Ryan’s hesitance to support Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, nine of his most powerful colleagues in the House decided Friday they have no such qualms about the presumptive Republican nominee — the latest demonstration of how the GOP establishment is falling in line behind Trump.

Experts Decry Tying Medical Research Funds to FDA Standards Changes

Experts Decry Tying Medical Research Funds to FDA Standards Changes-wallstreetjournal: Moves in Congress to link billions of dollars in new medical research funding to revised standards for drug and medical-device approvals are troubling some public-health experts, who say the combination makes it too easy for lawmakers to support lower patient-safety standards.

Is Donald Trump Killing Paul Ryan’s Dream?

Is Donald Trump Killing Paul Ryan’s Dream?-morningconsult: If House Speaker Paul Ryan has one overarching hope for the Republican Party, it is to make the GOP more aspirational in key policy areas such as taxes and health care.

Judge rules in favor of Republicans in Obamacare challenge

Judge rules in favor of Republicans in Obamacare challenge-cnn: A federal judge ruled Thursday against the administration in a challenge to a portion of the Affordable Care Act brought by the House of Representatives.

House GOP Mulling Medicare Age Changes and Taxation on Premiums

House GOP Mulling Medicare Age Changes and Taxation on Premiums-morningconsult: The details of House Republicans’ plan to replace Obamacare are beginning to emerge. Members seemed pleased with what they heard after a closed-door caucus meeting Thursday afternoon at which the leaders of the effort presented their ideas.

What happened when Donald Trump came to Capitol Hill

What happened when Donald Trump came to Capitol Hill-thehill: There were traffic cones and motorcades; federal agents and Capitol Police. Protestors screamed and reporters swarmed; the bagpipes brayed and the gawkers gawked.

Reid-Grassley feud gets even uglier

Reid-Grassley feud gets even uglier-politico: A long time ago, Harry Reid and Chuck Grassley used to be friends.

What This Woman Senator Plans to Tell Trump

What This Woman Senator Plans to Tell Trump-rollcall: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W. Va., will be one of the few women lawmakers meeting with presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump Thursday, and she knows what she's going to tell him.

Obama signs bill to deter theft of trade secrets

Obama signs bill to deter theft of trade secrets-ap: President Barack Obama signed into law Wednesday a bill that gives employers a new tool in preventing the theft of trade secrets.

Ryan Caught Between Desire for Republican Unity and Future Agenda

Ryan Caught Between Desire for Republican Unity and Future Agenda-nytimes: As his party splinters and his policy agenda faces peril, Speaker Paul D. Ryan will enter his meeting with Donald J. Trump on Thursday increasingly at odds with a growing, if grudging, Republican congressional majority willing to embrace Mr. Trump as their candidate.

Lose One House, Win Another

Lose One House, Win Another-thehill: Some Democrats are downright giddy about facing Donald Trump and his sizable unfavorable ratings in November. But the party may need to lose the presidential election in order to have a chance of controlling the House at some point over the next decade.

7 Things Merrick Garland Told the Senate About Himself

7 Things Merrick Garland Told the Senate About Himself-thehill: The questionnaire that Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland submitted Tuesday to the Senate Judiciary Committee is full of the standard biographical information, such as a list of the most significant legal matters he has handled.

Senate growing impatient for Puerto Rico bill

Senate growing impatient for Puerto Rico bill-thehill: Senators are growing impatient with the House’s prolonged effort to pass legislation on Puerto Rico’s debt crisis.

The Coming Week: Trumpmania Hits the Hill, Puerto Rico Bill on Tap

The Coming Week: Trumpmania Hits the Hill, Puerto Rico Bill on Tap-morningconsult: Trumpmania will hit Capitol Hill with a thud this week, as Republican lawmakers returning from a weeklong recess grapple with whether they should publicly back the controversial bombast.

For Merrick Garland and Republicans, a Tango of Praise and Rejection

For Merrick Garland and Republicans, a Tango of Praise and Rejection-newyorktimes: Unfailingly punctual, he enters the office without a word. He shakes hands with staff members who rise hastily from their desks, and studies the home state curios on the walls. He is ushered in behind closed doors, and within the hour he leaves as quietly as he came, occasionally slipping out a back exit with his retinue.

Congress says no Puerto Rico bailout, but tax deal beat it to the punch

Congress says no Puerto Rico bailout, but tax deal beat it to the punch-politico: Lawmakers say they absolutely, positively will not bail out Puerto Rico, but here’s the thing: The federal government already is bailing out Puerto Rico.

How House Republicans Can Survive Trump

How House Republicans Can Survive Trump-rollcall:  Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon is in his second term as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. He sat down with Roll Call recently to discuss the effect Donald Trump is likely to have on House GOP campaigns, how his members are preparing for their races, and why he wasn't surprised to hear former Speaker John A. Boehner refer to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz as "Lucifer in the flesh."

Stirred by Sanders, Democrats shift left on health care

Stirred by Sanders, Democrats shift left on health care-ap: More Democrats seem to be having doubts about the federal health care law, a contentious issue for most of President Barack Obama's tenure and one of the defining elements of his legacy.

New Puerto Rico Bill Slated for Wednesday Rollout

New Puerto Rico Bill Slated for Wednesday Rollout-morningconsult: Lawmakers are planning to roll out a new bill to help Puerto Rico restructure its debt on Wednesday, Morning Consult has learned.  According to a committee aide, the new language will be introduced under a new bill number. The current plan is to have Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) remain the bill’s lead sponsor. He sponsors the current bill, H.R. 4900.

Mitch McConnell's Unlikely Allies

Mitch McConnell's Unlikely Allies-theatlantic: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has a lot to contend with these days. Donald Trump’s push to reshape the GOP around an ideology best defined as vulgarian fascism has Senate Republicans terrified of losing their majority come November.

Mitch McConnell Will Still Block Merrick Garland’s Nomination, Donald Trump Be Damned

Mitch McConnell Will Still Block Merrick Garland’s Nomination, Donald Trump Be Damned-huffingtonpost: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is continuing his no-holds-barred blockade of Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court, despite the risk that he may get a less palatable choice from presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, a spokesman for McConnell confirmed Wednesday.

What we do in Puerto Rico sets a precedent, like it or not

What we do in Puerto Rico sets a precedent, like it or not-thehill: The argument that setting aside Puerto Rico's constitutional guarantee to their general obligation bondholders will not spill over to impact the broader municipal bond market — one that the U.S. Treasury has enthusiastically propounded — seems to be predicated solely on the notion that a territory is unlike a state and that whatever legislation Congress passes will be sui generis, with no relevance to the rest of the country. Or, at least this is what most investors will assume.

Pelosi’s big Puerto Rico problem

Pelosi’s big Puerto Rico problem-thehill: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is holding her fire on Republicans when it comes to Puerto Rico.

Frustration with India mounts

Frustration with India mounts-thehill:  Business groups are expressing growing frustration about India’s lack of progress toward removing trade and economic barriers and opening the country’s markets to U.S. exports.

Poll: Supreme Court blockade eroding support for Grassley

Poll: Supreme Court blockade eroding support for Grassley-politico: Democrats are preparing another round of attacks against Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, releasing new poll numbers that show the veteran Iowa senator’s favorability ratings are tumbling as he plays a key role in blocking Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

How the U.S. Congress Keeps Getting Paid to Do Nothing

How the U.S. Congress Keeps Getting Paid to Do Nothing-theatlantic: Members of the House are trying to pass a bill that would suspend legislators' salaries if they can't pass a budget. They haven't had much success.

Puerto Rico skips bond payments, says Congress must help

Puerto Rico skips bond payments, says Congress must help-AP: A spiraling Puerto Rico debt crisis reached a new milestone as the island missed nearly $370 million on a bond payment Monday and officials warned of worse to come if the U.S. Congress doesn't help it dig out from a mountain of debt.

Ryan Rides to the Rescue — But Not Until 2020

Ryan Rides to the Rescue — But Not Until 2020-rollcall: I recently asked a veteran Republican strategist how his party picks up the pieces after what now looks to be a very difficult 2016 election. His answer was quick and decisive: Paul Ryan.

Ryan’s Risk Pools Hit On Obamacare Criticism

Ryan’s Risk Pools Hit On Obamacare Criticism-morningconsult: House Speaker Paul Ryan’s recent proposal to shift sick people to their own health insurance could place a sizable financial burden on the government, but it also gets at a question that Obamacare supporters are contemplating: How to keep the cost of covering sick people from significantly increasing the cost of insurance for the healthy.

Senate on pace for lightest work schedule in 60 years

Senate on pace for lightest work schedule in 60 years-politico: Senate Republicans have left town for another recess with their yearlong claim that the Senate is "back to work" an increasingly tough sell to voters.