Overview
- A growing stack of live discharge petitions is eroding leadership power, including a bipartisan push led by moderates to force a vote on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies.
- Speaker Mike Johnson secured the NDAA rule only after outside assurances, including a call to Senator Marco Rubio to review concerns about NGOs tied to the Taliban.
- President Donald Trump signaled disengagement from health care negotiations by saying Hill Republicans do not need a big 2026 package, complicating efforts to address the subsidy deadline.
- Reporting points to a potential new wave of GOP retirements, with one estimate suggesting up to 20 additional announcements in the coming weeks as members weigh bleak midterm prospects.
- The administration’s seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker has intensified bipartisan demands for congressional war-powers votes, with resolutions positioning for possible floor action next week.