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Articles by Tom Howell Jr.

Sen. Ben Sasse, Nebraska Republican (Associated Press)

Obamacare co-op in Maine to suspend 2016 enrollment

An Obamacare co-op that offered one of the program's few success stories said Wednesday it will suspend enrollment for 2016, marking another black eye for nonprofit plans that were supposed to give consumers a leg up in the marketplace.

December 9, 2015
"Some questioned whether Washington could ever agree on a replacement for No Child Left Behind. They needn't question any longer," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican. (Associated Press)

Senate passes rewrite of No Child Left Behind law

Congress approved a rewrite of the No Child Left Behind education law Wednesday as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle linked arms to retreat from expansive national tests and return to states the decisions on how students, teachers and schools will be judged.

December 9, 2015
In this Dec. 1, 2015 photo, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., departs a news conference following a GOP strategy session at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015. From left are Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., chair of the Republican Conference, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., Speaker Ryan, and Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La. After months where tea party lawmakers provoked crisis and unrest in Congress, even driving out a speaker, GOP leaders have turned to the business of governing, pushing forward a series of bills destined to get a presidential signature. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Paul Ryan says Congress may miss Friday funding deadline

House Speaker Paul Ryan warned Monday that Congress might not meet a Friday deadline to fund the government and approve a series of tax breaks for firms and individuals, meaning its lengthy to-do list could nudge up against Capitol Hill's holiday break.

December 7, 2015
FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2015 file photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., joined by Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Talks on a massive, government-wide spending bill hit a snag Wednesday as Republicans pressed demands to block new power plant rules, weaken financial services regulations and make it more difficult for Syrian and Iraqi refugees to enter the U.S. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Republican repeal of Obamacare heads to president’s desk

Senate Republicans brushed aside five years of frustration Thursday and fast-tracked an Obamacare repeal bill to President Obama's desk, fulfilling their pledge to hold Democrats and the White House accountable for a 2010 law they still view as fiscally ruinous and politically misguided.

December 4, 2015
President Obama had enjoyed historically low increases averaging 3.7 percent a year during the first five years or his tenure, but spending rose 5.3 percent, to reach $3 trillion, in 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimated. (Associated Press)

Obamacare prompts 5 percent increase in health spending

Health spending spiked by more than 5 percent last year as Obamacare took full effect, according to a new government analysis Wednesday that said the low-growth trend that had prevailed for most of President Obama's time in office changed as new prescription drugs came on the market and Americans started using more services.

December 2, 2015
President Obama speaks during a news conference at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Centre, in Paris, on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015. Obama discussed the COP21 climate change summit. (Associated Press)

White House says it will veto Obamacare repeal bill

The White House formally signaled President Obama's intent Wednesday to veto a Republican bill that would dismantle his signature health overhaul, saying Congress should work to promote the law instead of making a political statement ahead of the 2016 elections.

December 2, 2015
The Supreme Court (Associated Press) ** FILE **

1 in 10 large nonprofits has sought protection from HHS birth-control rules: survey

One in 10 large nonprofits has asked the administration to shield it from Obamacare's birth-control rules, according to a survey released Tuesday that says many of them are likely Catholic colleges or hospitals that would qualify for the "accommodation" at the heart of an upcoming fight before the Supreme Court.

December 1, 2015

Mitch McConnell: Obamacare repeal bill is near

Senate Republicans put themselves on track to pass a long-sought bill this week to dismantle Obamacare and strip funding from Planned Parenthood for one year, finalizing a measure Tuesday that will put a major repeal of the Affordable Care Act on President Obama's desk for the first time.

December 1, 2015
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell speaks in Washington on July 28, 2014. (Associated Press) **FILE**

HHS: 87K fewer deaths from hospital-related conditions in 2010-2014

An estimated 87,000 fewer patients died between 2010 from 2014 because of a marked reduction in infections and other conditions that can be acquired during hospital stays, according to an Obama administration report Tuesday that said the decrease saved $20 billion in health costs.

December 1, 2015
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, California Republican (Associated Press) **FILE**

Kevin McCarthy: Congress will avoid shutdown

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Monday he expects Congress to navigate a thorny debate over national security and abortion politics and strike a deal to keep federal operations moving past Dec. 11.

November 30, 2015