US House Democrats to prioritise Medicaid boost and end Iran war

House Democratic leaders have said their first priority after the new Congress is sworn in on 3 January will be to boost Medicaid and restore an enhanced tax subsidy for Affordable Care Act health plans.

Early votes in the House are expected to focus on legislation that would lower the cost of ACA coverage for millions of enrollees and on measures to end the war with Iran and reverse former President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs.

New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader poised to become the next House speaker, said the party will “get out of the gate fast”. He added that five working groups are drafting bills to reduce costs in housing, energy, groceries and caregiving.

Democrats also plan to introduce legislation on artificial intelligence and data‑centre regulation, with Rep. Ted Lieu (D‑Calif.) noting that the party will hold public hearings and set reasonable guardrails.

The effort to reverse recent Medicaid cuts, which are projected to remove more than €900 billion over ten years, will face opposition in the Senate and a possible presidential veto.

While the Democratic majority in the 435‑member House exceeds 250 seats, passage of the proposals will still require a 60‑vote Senate threshold and could be blocked by a veto.

Source: ABC News. Photo: Guohua Song / Pexels.