Hello, readers! Welcome to Wednesday's edition of On Politics. I'm Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY's congressional reporter, filling in for Kathryn Palmer, who is out this week. Here's what to know today. |
Obamacare subsidies divide House GOP |
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, has two big problems right now. The first is what to do about rising health care costs, especially in the wake of the near-certain-to-expire Affordable Care Act subsidies that, once gone in the new year, will raise premiums for millions of Americans. The second is how to regain control of his own members, who are increasingly forcing the House of Representatives to vote on legislation Johnson would rather avoid . Both of those problems were exemplified on Wednesday when four moderate GOP lawmakers, frustrated with Johnson's inaction, joined with Democrats to force a vote on a three-year extension of the subsidies. |
The Affordable Care Act bill, which Johnson has to bring up for a vote within the month, faces long odds in the Senate, even if it passes the House. But it underlines how Johnson's grip on his membership is slipping. | Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson (R-IL) speaks as (L-R) House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) and House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-IL) listen during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on December 16, 2025 in Washington, DC. Alex Wong/Getty Images |
Mamdani's NYC win sparks secession talk by Staten Island Republicans |
"It's only going to get louder," Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella told USA TODAY. |
Connected to Manhattan only by ferry and to Brooklyn by one bridge, and consisting mostly of houses spread out on winding streets, much of Staten Island feels like a suburb. It is the least-populous and whitest borough, and it has the second-highest median income after Manhattan. |
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado |
USA TODAY's Joey Garrison first reported that Trump officials view the federally funded research institution, based in Boulder, Colorado, as a hub for "federal climate alarmism." It was established in 1960 for research in atmospheric chemistry and physical meteorology. |
Read more about the planned move here. | | Congress just passed its $900 billion annual defense policy bill, sending it to President Trump's desk for a signature. | | FCC Chair Brendan Carr appeared before a Senate oversight committee on Dec. 17. | | | | Here are the records about the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein that have been released by investigators and lawmakers. | | | | President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to criticize the number of security cameras at Brown University. | | | | Along with the blockade, Trump said he has formally designated Venezuela's Maduro and his government allies a foreign terrorist organization. | | | | | Sign up for the news you want | Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don't miss out! We're always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. | | | | | |
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