Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Senate panel rejects Trump nominee Scott Garrett to head Ex-Im Bank
A Senate panel voted Tuesday to reject President Trump's nominee to run the Export-Import bank, undercutting conservatives who want to derail the corporate welfare agency and delivering another nomination failure to a White House plagued by them. Published December 19, 2017
FDA proposes greater scrutiny of alternative remedies
The Food and Drug Administration said Monday it wants to crack down on alternative remedies that are sold as "homeopathic" products but contain potentially harmful ingredients or show no clinical benefit. Published December 18, 2017
Obamacare signups reach smooth finish
Obamacare's sign-up deadline came and went this weekend with nary a peep from President Trump, who instead championed a GOP tax bill that repeals a key piece of the 2010 law, leaving it to Democrats and former Obama officials to cheer the embattled program across the finish line. Published December 17, 2017
Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump contraception mandate rollback
A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump's decision to roll back Obama-era rules that require employers to provide free birth control as part of their health plans. Published December 15, 2017
Obamacare deadline produces wait times at call centers
Obamacare's main website is operating smoothly, but there are longer wait times at federal call centers, the Trump administration said Friday, as customers in much of the country faced a midnight deadline to get covered. Published December 15, 2017
Democrats say Donald Trump must back up opioids talk with money
Senate Democrats implored Republicans Thursday to commit to new opioids funding before the end of the year, saying President Trump's lofty rhetoric on addiction will mean little if his party doesn't back it up with real money. Published December 14, 2017
Doug Jones leaves future Senate colleagues guessing on what to expect
As Democrat Doug Jones looks to be sworn in early next year, his future colleagues don't know what to expect from him or how his arrival will shake up the closely divided Senate. Published December 13, 2017
HealthCare.gov signups hit 4.7M heading into final week
Obamacare's main website will need a crush of last-minute signups to match last year's tally, according to an government update Wednesday that says HealthCare.gov is still millions of customers shy of what it needs to expand its customer base. Published December 13, 2017
House GOP files bills to delay Obamacare taxes
The House GOP's tax writers announced a flurry of bills to delay Obamacare's taxes on health insurers and medical devices and lift penalties on employers, saying Americans need "targeted relief" from the levies while they work to repeal and replace the law outright. Published December 12, 2017
DEA eyes changes, not repeal, of embattled 2016 law on opioids
A top DEA official told Congress on Tuesday the agency would like to reform -- rather than repeal -- a 2016 law that made it harder for agents to suspend opioid shipments that could fall into the hands of corrupt doctors or criminal dealers. Published December 12, 2017
Virginia says health benefits for 68K children could expire Jan. 31
Virginia officials warned thousands of families Tuesday they could lose their health coverage if Congress fails to reauthorize a critical insurance program by Jan. 31. Published December 12, 2017
Obamacare taxes, GOP tax cut bill frustrate health insurers
A pair of Obamacare taxes are poised to strike health companies at the end of this year, adding more pain to what's already been a rough few months for insurers. Published December 11, 2017
Susan Collins’ vote could be key for tax bill
Progressives who cheered when Republican Sen. Susan Collins tanked efforts to repeal Obamacare are pleading for a repeat on the GOP tax bill, saying she should revoke her support after House Republicans threw cold water on the pact leaders used to win her vote. Published December 10, 2017
Jason Isbell to hold free concert for Doug Jones in Alabama
Grammy Award-winner Jason Isbell will hold a free concert on Saturday to rally support for Doug Jones, the Alabama Democrat reaching for victory in next week's Senate race. Published December 8, 2017
Pro-Obamacare group pushes Susan Collins to break with GOP on tax bill
A pro-Obamacare coalition urged Sen. Susan Collins on Friday to flip-flop and spurn the GOP tax bill, saying her attempts to mitigate premium hikes tied to repealing the "individual mandate" tax will fall short. Published December 8, 2017
Congress passes stopgap bill to avert government shutdown
House Republicans rallied around a stopgap bill to keep the government open for another two weeks, freeing up space to finish their prized tax bill but kicking thorny spending decisions to just before Christmas. Published December 7, 2017
House crushes Al Green’s bid to impeach President Trump
The House on Wednesday tossed aside an attempt by Rep. Al Green to bring articles of impeachment against President Trump. Published December 6, 2017
Obamacare signups hit 3.6 million
Signups on Obamacare's main website remained strong in their fifth week, reaching 3.6 million, though enrollees aren't coming in fast enough to expand the program's pool of enrollees, according to government figures released Wednesday. Published December 6, 2017
Donald Trump says Democrats’ stance on immigration could prompt government shutdown
President Trump said Wednesday that a government shutdown "could happen," blaming congressional Democrats' stance on immigration even as Republican allies worked to keep federal operations humming for another two weeks. Published December 6, 2017
House panel delays meeting on critical spending bill
House leaders delayed consideration Tuesday of a stopgap funding bill needed to avoid a government shutdown this weekend, as the GOP tried to mollify its restive conference and maintain a strong negotiating hand in year-end spending talks. Published December 5, 2017
