At least in th
e Senate, a consensus is being reached on trade adjustment assistance that could lead to an extension of premium subsidies under the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) program.
Here are two snippets from a joint statement issued Wednesday:
[Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)]: “My staff and Senator McConnell’s staff have been in discussions for weeks over the Trade Adjustment Assistance program and the three outstanding FTAs [free trade agreements]. We believe those discussions have provided a path forward in the Senate after we return for passage of the bipartisan compromise on the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, followed by passage of the three FTAs.”
[Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)]: “I agree with the Majority Leader that we have a path forward on TAA and the Free Trade Agreements.”
Background on how all this affects an HCTC extension can be found here.
Looks like any extension won’t happen though, until Congress reconvenes in September.