Hey friend,

Congress is closing out the year the same way it spent much of it: last-minute negotiations, stalled votes, and above all, real consequences for our lives. From shutdown chaos to healthcare costs to anti-trans legislation, here’s what you need to know about how they’re closing out the year, and how to take action today.

Shutdown on Pause: Countdown to January

Congress ended the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, lasting 43 days, but reopening the government didn’t erase the harm. Weeks of political gridlock disrupted programs that support healthcare, food access, education, and housing.

Since the Shutdown, federal agencies are scrambling to stabilize programs after weeks of uncertainty. Congress continues to govern through temporary fixes rather than implementing long-term solutions.

What Congress and the President actually agreed to:

• Full-year funding (through Sept. 30, 2026) for three agencies only: Agriculture–FDA, Military Construction–VA, and the Legislative Branch.
• A temporary funding patch for the rest of the government, keeping agencies at last year’s funding levels only until January 30, 2026.

The budget fight isn’t over. If Congress doesn’t act again by January 30, the next shutdown could be around the corner.

Healthcare Costs on the Line

If you or your loved ones buy your own health insurance, this one’s personal.

Congress still hasn’t agreed on extending ACA Premium Tax Credits (PTC), the subsidies that lower monthly insurance costs for millions of people. The Senate tried, and failed, to move a deal forward, leaving these credits set to expire unless lawmakers act soon. Check out this short NPR interview to understand the dynamics of the issue.

What’s at the core of the debate:

• These tax credits (or subsidies) help people afford insurance through the ACA Marketplace.
• Young adults, freelancers, students, gig workers, and people without employer coverage rely on them the most.
• Without an extension, monthly premiums could jump sharply, forcing millions of people to pay more or lose coverage altogether.

Affordable healthcare isn’t locked in. Congress still has a chance to act, time is running out.

Take Action Now: Tell Your Members of Congress to Protect  Access to Health Care!

Trans Lives on the Line: House Votes This Week

This week, the House is expected to vote on two anti-trans bills targeting gender-affirming care for trans and gender-diverse youth: H.R. 3492 and H.R. 498.

• H.R. 3492 would criminalize consensual gender-affirming healthcare, putting doctors at risk for providing medically recommended care.
• H.R. 498 would cut off federal funding, including Medicaid, for gender-affirming care for adolescents, making access impossible for many families and creating a ban for families who already face economic barriers.

These bills aren’t about safety. They’re about control, and they put politicians between trans people, their families, and their doctors. We know these harms all too well.

Trans rights are reproductive justice, and Congress should vote NO. 

We wish you a restful holiday season, and we look forward to keeping you up to date on Federal Policy in 2026!

In solidarity,

Daniela Ochoa Diaz (she/her)
URGE Senior Director of Policy

URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity
1012 14th Street NW, Suite 305
Washington, DC xxxxxx
United States

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