The House is back in session today for the first time in nearly two months to vote to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
It can't come any sooner. Nearly 900 flights have been canceled today, and that number is expected to rise.
In fact, one Republican lawmaker told The Hill he was riding his motorcycle back to Washington, in freezing weather, to avoid any flight delays. Read more on how the shutdown's end could impact air travel
Timing: The House is expected to pass the bill to reopen the government this evening (right now it's expected around 7:15 p.m., but that could get pushed back), sending it to Trump's desk. The House Rules Committee worked overnight to advance the bill, sending it to the House floor.
Are there any hiccups expected?: The Senate bill to reopen the government is widely expected to pass in the House, but there are several lawmakers to keep an eye on. House Republicans have a razor-thin margin, after all. 📝 Here's a list of the lawmakers to watch today
Republicans are already claiming victory. Despite receiving the blame in the polls, Democrats were the first to blink. Progressives are furious that eight moderate Senate Democrats folded and struck a deal with Republicans to reopen the government without an extension to health care subsidies.
Republicans have promised a mid-December vote on expiring ObamaCare subsidies, but they haven't promised to pass it. And Speaker Johnson hasn't promised a matching vote. That means that health care premiums are expected to skyrocket for millions of Americans.
Something to watch: When health care premiums rise for millions of Americans in January, Democrats will seek to pin those on the GOP, arguing they tried to keep prices down. To that end, House Democratic leaders will offer a three-year extension on the subsidies. It's widely expected to fail but will force GOP lawmakers to formally vote to end the health care subsidy.
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