Rep. Tom Cole says Republicans "feel good about our prospects" as House vote to end shutdown nears

Key Concepts

• Federal Government Shutdown: A situation where non-essential government operations cease due to a failure to pass appropriations bills.
• Appropriations Bills: Legislation that provides funding for government operations.
• Continuing Resolution (CR): A temporary funding measure that allows the government to continue operating when appropriations bills have not been passed by their deadline.
• Discretionary Spending: Government spending that is set by appropriations bills, as opposed to mandatory spending which is determined by existing law.
• Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Bill: A significant appropriations bill that funds key social programs and agencies.
• Defense Bill: A major appropriations bill that funds the military.
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): A federal program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families.
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Program): A federal program that provides nutritional support to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to five years of age who are found to be at nutritional risk.
• Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Bill: An appropriations bill that funds military construction projects and veterans' benefits.
• Ledge Branch Bill: A bill that ensures the functioning of Congress, including paying Capitol Police and staff.
• Obamacare Tax Credits: Tax credits established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to help individuals purchase health insurance.
• Bipartisan Compromise: Agreement and cooperation between the Democratic and Republican parties.

Federal Government Shutdown and Appropriations Process

Congressman Tom Cole, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, discusses the impending legislation to end the federal government shutdown. He expresses confidence that the legislation will pass, though he anticipates a close vote with limited bipartisan support. The proposed legislation sets a deadline of January 30th for the completion of the remaining nine spending bills.

Key Points:

• Passage of Shutdown-Ending Legislation: Cole believes the legislation to end the shutdown will pass, but expects a close vote.
• January 30th Deadline: This date is set for the completion of all remaining appropriations bills.
• Significant Workload: Nine spending bills remain, including two major ones: Defense (representing half of total discretionary spending) and the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill (often a Democratic priority).
• Negotiation Strategy: The plan is to package these significant bills with others and work in good faith with negotiating partners in both chambers. Cole believes differences are often less significant than perceived.
• Impact of Shutdown: Cole highlights the hardship faced by federal workers, contractors, and recipients of SNAP benefits due to the shutdown, emphasizing the need for certainty and the difficulty of working without paychecks.

Upcoming Legislative Schedule and Priorities

Cole outlines the immediate legislative priorities and the expected schedule, aiming to complete work before the Christmas break.

Key Points:

• Pre-Christmas Break Goal: The hope is to finalize the next package of appropriations bills before the Christmas recess.
• Senate's Role: Cole acknowledges the Senate's contribution in passing a bill with three appropriations bills attached, providing the necessary time.
• Immediate Bills to Pass:
  • Agriculture Bill: This bill will cover programs like WIC and SNAP, crucial for vulnerable citizens.
  • Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Bill: Essential for supporting veterans.
  • Ledge Branch Bill: This bill ensures the basic functioning of Congress, including paying the Capitol Police and staff.
• Staging for Substantive Bills: Passing these initial bills is seen as setting the stage for addressing the more complex appropriations.

Avoiding Future Shutdowns and Continuing Resolutions

Cole addresses concerns about a potential shutdown at the end of January 2026 and discusses the preference for completing work over relying on continuing resolutions.

Key Points:

• Hope for No Future Shutdown: Cole expresses a strong desire to avoid another shutdown and complete all appropriations work by the deadline.
• Preference for Continuing Resolution (CR): If all bills cannot be completed, Cole would favor a CR for any remaining items to provide certainty.
• Importance of Bipartisan Compromise: He stresses that successful appropriations require bipartisan compromise, and while disagreements exist, he anticipates a willingness to get things done.

Obamacare Tax Credits and Potential Reforms

Cole discusses the upcoming vote on extending soon-to-expire Obamacare tax credits, clarifying his committee's jurisdiction and his personal stance on the issue.

Key Points:

• Jurisdiction: The extension of Obamacare tax credits is not within the jurisdiction of the House Appropriations Committee.
• Senate's Role: A vote on these credits is expected in the Senate as part of an agreement, but passage requires 60 votes, necessitating Republican support.
• Cole's Stance: Cole opposes extending the tax credits as they are currently written.
  • Cost: He points to the estimated $1.5 trillion in guaranteed spending over ten years.
  • Original Intent: He notes these were meant to be temporary measures passed during COVID without Republican votes.
  • Lack of Reform: He criticizes the lack of substantive reform proposals from Democrats.
  • Inclusion of High Earners: Cole highlights that individuals earning up to $500,000-$600,000 per year are receiving subsidies, which he deems "not very smart."
  • Focus on the Needy: He clarifies that the basic bill still covers individuals up to four times the poverty level, ensuring the truly needy receive subsidies.
• Potential Reforms: Cole suggests reforms, including the idea of sending money directly to individuals to allow them to make their own healthcare choices, a concept he finds has merit. He also notes that significant funds are being sent to healthcare companies, sometimes without beneficiaries' full awareness.

Conclusion

Congressman Tom Cole provides insights into the immediate legislative challenges of ending the federal government shutdown and the process of passing appropriations bills. He emphasizes the importance of bipartisan compromise, the need to provide certainty for federal workers and vulnerable populations, and the strategic approach to tackling complex spending bills. Regarding Obamacare tax credits, Cole expresses opposition to their current form due to cost and perceived inequities, advocating for reforms and a more direct approach to healthcare subsidies.