President Biden fired the opening shots of the battle over spending and taxes that will consume Capitol Hill this year when he proposed on Tuesday a 5 percent Medicare surtax on people who earn more than $400,000 a year.
The White House is hailing the proposal, which is part of Biden’s budget plan, as something that will extend Medicare’s solvency by 25 years, but Republicans are slamming it as a “massive" tax hike and key Democrats are ducking for cover, declining to s...
Senate
Sanders: Medicare-for-all ‘ain’t going to happen’ in divided Congress
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said "Medicare for All," a system that would establish government-run health care for all U.S. citizens, “ain’t going to happen” during the next two years amid a divided Congress.
Sanders told NPR in an interview broadcast Tuesday that members of Congress can still work together during this congressional session to improve health care throughout the country, even though he said no Republicans and only half of congressional Democrats support Medicar...
CBO warns of sharp uptick in Social Security, Medicare spending
Federal spending on Social Security and Medicare is projected to rise dramatically over the next decade, far outpacing revenues and the economy on the whole while putting new pressure on Congress to address accelerated threats of insolvency, according to new estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
The increase is driven by a variety of factors, including Social Security’s new cost-of-living adjustment, the rising cost of medical services under Medicare and great...
Sanders to seek gavel of Senate health committee
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is pursuing the top spot on the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, his spokesman said Thursday, now that Democrats are poised to maintain control of the Senate.
As leader of the committee with jurisdiction over much of federal health policy, Sanders will have a platform to champion his progressive causes, including his "Medicare for All" proposal.
"As chairman of the committee, he will focus on universal health...
Democrats brace for life with a House GOP majority
Senate Democrats are bracing for the possibility for life under a divided government, with President Biden in office and a strong possibility of a Republican-controlled House.
Democrats hope they can retain their majority in the Senate, where a number of political handicappers say the party is favored. That would give Democrats more leverage and congressional support for Biden over the next two years.
But if the House does fall as expected, lawmakers expect partisan gr...
The Hill’s Morning Report — Mar-a-Lago documents drama rattles some in GOP
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Here’s what’s in the Inflation Reduction Act, the sweeping health and climate bill passed Sunday
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Biden cheers Senate vote on Inflation Reduction Act, urges House to pass bill quickly
President Biden on Sunday applauded the Senate passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, calling it the "largest investment ever in combatting the existential crisis of climate change" as he urged the House to pass its version of the bill as soon as possible.
The president also touted the 775-page climate, healthcare and tax bill for "making the wealthiest corporations finally pay their fair share."
"Senate Democrats sided with American families over special interests, v...
Senate passes sweeping tax, climate package after marathon vote; Harris breaks tie
Senate Democrats have passed their sweeping tax, health care and climate change legislation after a marathon night of voting, with Vice President Harris casting the decisive vote to break a 50-50 deadlock and send the package to the House.
The long-awaited $740 billion bill would raise taxes on corporations, tackle climate change, lower prescription drug costs and reduce the deficit.
The bill was approved on Sunday afternoon after a full night and morning in which...
Vulnerable Democrats seek cover on Title 42
Vulnerable Democrats in the early hours of Sunday sought cover on preserving Title 42, the Trump-era health order that prevents migrants from entering the country on asylum claims.
Six Democrats voted for the amendment put forward by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who said it would have ensured that a comprehensive plan is in place before Title 42 is lifted.
Five vulnerable Democratic incumbents voted for the amendment, along with Tester, the sponsor, but...