Congress leaves town until 2026, letting enhanced Obamacare tax credits expire in two weeks pssss
Congress leaves town until 2026, letting enhanced Obamacare tax credits expire in two weeks
Congressional Republicans have sent lawmakers home for the holidays without voting to address the Obamacare subsidies cliff that will hit millions of Americans on New Year’s Day — infuriating some of their own rank and file.
“Here we are without a deal enacted, with the subsidies about to expire. I think it’s totally unacceptable. It’s a failure of leadership, honestly, on both sides,” GOP Rep. Kevin Kiley of California said of the enhanced premium subsidies, moments after the House’s final votes Thursday afternoon.
Kiley is among dozens of GOP centrists in the House and Senate who have begged for weeks for their leaders to allow a bipartisan compromise to avert massive financial hardship for people across the country. Starting January 1, as many as 22 million people will see skyrocketing monthly premiums and some will be forced to forgo coverage altogether.
These members have insisted that a GOP-Congress can’t simply let the Covid-era subsidies expire without helping to blunt the impact in some way. But plenty more Republicans argue that it is a Democratic health care program that has failed – and should not be bailed out with more taxpayer dollars.
Internally, Republicans have been consumed by that battle for weeks, ending in no solution ahead of the deadline.
Some House centrists have been particularly vocal — even agreeing to buck Johnson by signing onto a Democratic effort to force a vote on extending the subsidies.
That dramatic move to defy GOP leadership has now set up a showdown when Congress returns from the holidays. By then, the issue may be even more contentious as millions of Americans feel the pain of higher premiums.
That vote is expected to take place the first week of January. Across the Capitol, a group of Senate centrists have been quietly strategizing about how to use that House-passed bill to pass their own compromise measure early next year.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a fierce critic of the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire in two weeks, did not rule out that option, saying that “there could be a path forward” in the new year to extend them if Democrats are “willing to accept reforms” to that program and embrace other GOP health care policies they have been demanding for years.
Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican who has called for the subsidies to be extended, said that House bill “could be an opportunity to work on something.”
“I won’t pass the Senate as it is, but it could be a vehicle that you get on to do something,” Hawley said.
Pressed again about his decision on Thursday, Johnson defended the move even as he faces enormous pressure from within the ranks of his conference.
Asked by CNN if he was concerned about the potential of swing-district Republicans losing their seats in the midterms, Johnson said “absolutely not.”
Johnson also defended his decision not to delay recess and vote on the extension of the enhanced ACA subsidies rather than dealing with the issue when they return in January.
“The only way to do that is to go through the rules process and fast forward it. Everybody knows those rules. Everybody knew it all along, and they made the decisions that they made,” he said, rolling his eyes when asked about canceling recess.
The House departed Washington a day earlier than expected, after Republicans successfully passed a narrow health care proposal — which involves reducing costs over coming years but does not address the subsidies cliff — as well as a major energy permitting bill.
“They’re playing a political game,” Johnson added, speaking of the Democrats. “We’re solving problems, and you’ll see that demonstrated in the first part of next year, as well as continuing our affordability agenda. It is the Republican party that has solutions.”
House Republicans hope their health care bill will help neutralize Democratic attacks over the expiring subsidies. That legislation allows small businesses — as well as self-employed people — to band together across industries to buy coverage through association health plans in an effort to lower premiums. It would also, once again, provide federal funding for the cost-sharing subsidies that lower-income Obamacare enrollees receive to reduce their deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for care.
While considered a win for leadership, some Republicans complain it falls woefully short of tackling rising prices in 2026.
The frustration among those GOP centrists has helped fuel a behind-the-scenes bipartisan effort to come up with a compromise bill that can pass both chambers. With enough momentum, they believe they can force Johnson to the table on a solution — even if it comes in January after the subsidies have officially expired.
“To get this done, We need to keep up the pressure,” one Democratic lawmaker involved in the talks said.
GOP Rep. Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania, one of the members to defy Johnson and back Democrats’ bill, said it is part of a strategy to keep the conversation going in the House.
“Speaker Johnson has committed to working with us, as everybody has seen. He said that publicly, that we will continue to work on health care in the new year,” he said. “I think that this effort, today and yesterday has actually generated more conversation keeping this alive for the new year.”
Longtime House Democrat Passes Away
Longtime House Democrat Passes Away
St. Louis, MO — Missouri Democratic Rep. William Lacy “Bill” Clay Sr., the first Black congressman from the state and a towering figure in American civil rights and politics, died Thursday at the age of 94. Clay, who represented Missouri’s 1st Congressional District from 1969 until his retirement in 2001, leaves behind a legacy that spanned over three decades in the U.S. House and reshaped both St. Louis and the broader political landscape of the nation.
For many, Clay was more than a politician; he was a fighter, an architect of progress, and a bridge between the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and the halls of Congress where laws reflecting that struggle were debated and passed. His career was marked by perseverance, vision, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
William Lacy Clay Sr. was born on April 30, 1931, in St. Louis, Missouri, into a city defined as much by its contradictions as its possibilities. St. Louis, with its iconic Gateway Arch and reputation as the “Gateway to the West,” was also a city fractured by redlining, segregation, and entrenched racial inequality. It was within this environment that Clay came of age, sharpening both his sense of justice and his political instincts.
By the age of 28, in 1959, Clay made his first political breakthrough when he was elected to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, becoming one of the youngest members to serve. His rise came at a pivotal time. Across America, Black communities were mobilizing in the aftermath of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision and the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement. Clay’s early involvement in sit-ins, protests, and labor organizing in St. Louis foreshadowed the lifelong commitment he would carry into Congress.
In a 1998 profile, Clay reflected on the challenges of his youth in segregated St. Louis. “St. Louis was no different from any of the cities in the South,” he said. “We had rigid segregation — not by law, but by custom.” That reality pushed Clay to activism and, ultimately, to political leadership.
Civil Rights Champion in St. Louis
Before reaching Washington, Clay made his mark as a local civil rights advocate. He joined sit-ins against discriminatory businesses, including national chains like White Castle and Howard Johnson, that enforced segregation by dividing Black and white customers into separate areas. Clay was arrested more than once in the pursuit of equality, but he viewed those moments as badges of honor, emblematic of the larger struggle.
As an alderman, Clay confronted entrenched systems of discrimination in housing, policing, and employment. St. Louis, like many Northern cities, practiced a form of segregation just as destructive as Jim Crow laws in the South — exclusionary zoning, discriminatory lending, and systematic underfunding of Black neighborhoods. Clay was among the first in the city’s political establishment to openly challenge those practices.
He also built alliances with organized labor, seeing the power of unions as intertwined with the fight for racial equality. That relationship would remain central throughout his congressional career, helping him push for workers’ rights, minimum wage increases, and improved labor standards.
From Local Leader to National Voice
In 1968, at the height of social upheaval following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Clay ran for Congress. His campaign tapped into the frustration and determination of St. Louis’ Black community, who were demanding representation equal to their population and influence. He won decisively, becoming Missouri’s first Black member of Congress in 1969.
Clay entered Washington during a time of tremendous change. The Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965) had become law, but the fight for economic justice and equal opportunity was far from over. In Congress, Clay positioned himself as both a legislator and an activist, never shying away from confrontation when necessary.
In 1971, Clay co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) alongside 12 other African American lawmakers. The group sought to amplify Black voices within the House, coordinate legislative strategy, and ensure that issues affecting African Americans received national attention. Today, the CBC boasts a record 62 members in the 119th Congress, a testament to Clay’s vision.
Legislative Achievements
Clay’s three decades in Congress were marked by significant legislative accomplishments. He was instrumental in shaping policies around labor rights, family protections, and social justice. Among the most notable:
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): Clay played a key role in advancing the FMLA, which guaranteed millions of American workers the right to take unpaid leave for medical or family reasons without fear of losing their jobs. The landmark legislation, signed into law in 1993, remains a cornerstone of workers’ rights.
Raising the Minimum Wage: Clay was a consistent advocate for raising the federal minimum wage, arguing that economic justice was inseparable from civil rights. His efforts helped pave the way for periodic wage increases, lifting millions of workers out of poverty.
Urban Development in St. Louis: Clay used his influence to channel federal investments into St. Louis, negotiating with corporate leaders and trade unions to ensure that development projects benefited both the city’s skyline and its working-class residents. His work was instrumental in the city’s partial recovery following the exodus of white residents — often called “white flight” — after desegregation.
Civil Service Reform: Clay was also deeply engaged in oversight of federal employment policies, working to protect public employees and ensure fairness in hiring and promotions.
A Political Force — and a Demanding Ally
Clay was known for his political savvy and his ability to wield endorsements as powerful tools. Within Missouri’s Democratic Party, his support could make or break campaigns. Prominent Democrats often sought his blessing, aware that he expected loyalty in return.
“The Black community, almost overwhelmingly, looked at him as a fighter for them,” said his son, former Congressman Lacy Clay Jr., who succeeded him in representing Missouri’s 1st District until 2021.
That reputation as a fighter sometimes meant sharp elbows, but it also solidified his standing as one of the most influential Black lawmakers of his era.
Tributes Pour In
Following news of his passing, tributes poured in from across Missouri and the nation.
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer praised Clay’s “courageous legacy of public service to St. Louis and the country,” highlighting his role in historic legislative battles on behalf of the poor and disenfranchised. “Millions have him to thank for the Family and Medical Leave Act and raising the minimum wage,” she said.
Congressman Wesley Bell (D-MO) described Clay as “a giant — not just for St. Louis, not just for Missouri, but for the entirety of our country.” Bell called him a mentor, trailblazer, and friend, adding, “I carry his example with me every time I walk onto the House Floor.”
The Congressional Black Caucus released a statement declaring: “Congressman Bill Clay leaves behind a legacy of dignity, courage, and transformative impact. His work laid the foundation for future generations of Black leadership in public service. May he rest in power and everlasting.”
Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, said Clay “was a giant in the Congress and a civil rights pioneer who helped transform St. Louis and change the lives of countless people locally and nationally.”
Building the St. Louis Legacy
Clay’s impact on St. Louis is visible in the city’s development. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to secure federal dollars for infrastructure, housing, and education projects. His ability to “barter with construction trades and corporate C-suites,” as one colleague put it, was central to reshaping St. Louis’ skyline.
The Gateway Arch, the city’s most recognizable landmark, came to symbolize not only westward expansion but also the resilience of a city navigating profound demographic and economic shifts. Clay ensured that Black workers, unions, and small businesses were not left behind in these projects.
Family and Personal Life
Clay married Carol Ann Johnson in 1953, and together they raised a family that became deeply enmeshed in public service. His son, Lacy Clay Jr., carried on his father’s legacy in Congress for two decades, from 2001 until 2021.
Though known for his political toughness, Clay was also remembered by friends and family as warm, witty, and deeply devoted to his community. He often returned to St. Louis to engage directly with residents, attending church services, neighborhood meetings, and civic events.
The Broader Impact
Bill Clay Sr.’s life and career cannot be measured solely by the legislation he authored or the elections he won. His influence extended into the very fabric of American democracy. By co-founding the Congressional Black Caucus, he institutionalized a space for Black lawmakers to speak collectively and strategically. By challenging segregation in St. Louis, he helped pave the way for future generations of Black leadership in the city and state.
For many in Missouri, Clay represented the possibility of a more inclusive democracy. His life demonstrated that progress was not inevitable but earned through persistence, negotiation, and at times confrontation.
Final Reflections
As the nation reflects on Clay’s passing, his story serves as both a reminder of the struggles of the past and a guide for the challenges of the future. In an America still grappling with racial inequality, Clay’s insistence on tying civil rights to economic rights remains strikingly relevant.
His legacy is etched not just in history books but in the daily lives of workers who can take family leave, of citizens who saw their neighborhoods revitalized, and of Black leaders who walk the halls of Congress today because he helped clear the path.
“Bill Clay Sr. was ahead of his time,” one colleague noted. “He didn’t just represent St. Louis — he represented possibility.”
As tributes continue to pour in, one thing is clear: Bill Clay Sr.’s 94 years left an indelible mark on St. Louis, on Missouri, and on the United States of America. His name will endure as a symbol of dignity, courage, and transformation.
