What's New In Washington: 10 Things You Need To Know - May 5 Edition

Congress returned to session the week of April 24 following a two-week recess. Active discussions and debate surrounding the American Health Care Act (AHCA) and efforts to "repeal-and-replace" the Affordable Care Act resumed among Republicans in an effort to achieve the votes necessary for House passage. After negotiating additional changes to the legislation, members of the House Freedom Caucus agreed to lend their support, but many moderate Republicans remained wary of the proposal.

Consequently, President Trump and moderate House Republicans, led by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), reached an agreement on May 3 to add $8 billion in funding to the AHCA to provide financial assistance in purchasing coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. The final amendment tipped the balance in House Republicans' favor, and the House voted 217 to 213 to approve the AHCA on May 4. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration, where its fate remains uncertain.