Middle-Market Public Policy Roundup

After a failed health care vote, the U.S. Senate joined the House in August recess. What should we expect when they return?

ACA Repeal, Again?

The House Freedom Caucus wants to push a vote on a repeal-only bill for health care, using a bill from 2015 and a tactic that allows them to circumnavigate the leadership, The Hill reports.

Pivot Toward Tax

The “Big Six”—the leadership and chairs of the tax-writing committees in the House and Senate, as well as officials leading tax policy in the Trump administration—have indicated that they will release a framework for tax reform in early-to-mid September, CNBC reports.

Tax Reform vs. Tax Cuts…

The 2018 midterm elections are right around the corner, and with no major legislative accomplishments completed in the 115th congressional session, some lawmakers are pushing to merely lower tax rates, and quickly. Per The Hill, many key legislators want a tax package completed this fall. Congressional leadership still says that reform must be comprehensive.

Remember: Budgets, Debt and Reauthorizations

After their return from recess, Congressional members must:

Raise the debt ceiling: This must be done by September, lest the United States’ credit be downgraded.

Pass a budget: This is necessary for the government to operate and for any tax reform package that will be passed under reconciliation, a tool that would allow a simple majority to pass a tax reform package, assuming it is either revenue-neutral or would sunset in 10 years.

Reauthorize flood insurance: The National Flood Insurance Program runs out of money in September. The House Financial Services Committee has been working on a reform package for nearly two years, according to The Hill.

Reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program: Designed to provide health insurance for children of low-income families, CHIP runs out on September 30.

With Congress out of session, your correspondent will be taking the next few weeks off of this report. Check back in September for the next weekly Public Policy roundup. In the meantime, visit the archive to catch up on what you’ve missed.

Is there a public policy issue you’d like us to cover in the fall? Send your suggestions to MMG Associate Editor Kathryn Mulligan at kmulligan@acg.org.