Senate quietly works on bipartisan Obamacare fix as healthcare cliff nears

Republican lawmakers are currently divided on whether President Trump should increase military pressure to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, reflecting a complex internal debate within the party regarding foreign intervention.

A new release of documents from the Justice Department related to Jeffrey Epstein has sparked controversy, particularly due to sensational claims about President Trump. Democrats have seized on these allegations, but the Justice Department cautions that many of these stories are likely fabricated.

In South Carolina, Democrats are competing to flip a state House seat in Lexington County following the resignation of Republican RJ May, who pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography. Democrat J. Chuck Hightower is facing off against Republican John Lastinger in this special election. Live results are being tracked by Decision Desk HQ.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against former President Donald Trump's attempt to federalize and deploy the National Guard in Illinois, particularly in Chicago, citing a lack of necessity for such action. This decision follows a lower court's ruling that had already halted the deployment, reflecting ongoing legal challenges surrounding Trump's authority over the National Guard.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated that Republicans are considering using reconciliation again, a legislative process that allows certain bills to pass with a simple majority, following the significant legislative win under former President Trump. Thune acknowledged the challenges associated with this approach, especially in a divided Senate.

Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., released a report detailing $1.6 trillion in federal waste, coinciding with the national debt reaching $40 trillion. The report highlights unusual expenditures, including funding for animal experiments, during the holiday season.

Tensions among House Republicans have escalated following a discharge petition initiated by moderate members to force a vote on extending Obamacare subsidies, which conservatives have labeled a 'betrayal.' This internal conflict highlights the deepening divisions within the GOP regarding healthcare policy.