The 51-48 vote capped a bitter months-long battle in Congress over health care that included the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Golden seemed optimistic that more Democrats would sign on, but almost all House Democrats are already backing another health care discharge petition by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). The Jeffries bill would extend the Obamacare subsidies for three years; the Fitzpatrick-Golden bill would extend them for two years with some restrictions. Government funding expires Jan. 30, giving Senate Democrats another leverage point over the issue. A few Senate Republicans have suggested addressing the issue of the ACA tax credits in another partisan reconciliation bill next year.

Source: Huffington Post December 11, 2025 21:30 UTC