Senate blocks plan to continue Obamacare subsidies after this month

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday rejected plans from Republicans and Democrats to ease soaring health care costs, making it more likely many people face health insurance premiums that could double shortly.

COVID-era credits for people with Obamacare-inspired health care policies will expire at the end of this month. Senate Democrats proposed extending the subsidies for three years. That effort was blocked as it received 51 votes, when 60 were needed to proceed.

A Republican alternative was also thwarted. All 47 Democrats and one Republican, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., blocked consideration, which also needed 60 votes. The debate was largely a parade of senators accusing the other party of acting irresponsibly.

“Don’t let health coverage lapse for millions of Americans. This isn’t a game. We’re three weeks away from the catastrophic spike of cost in health insurance for so many,” said Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., in a floor speech. “The fact of the matter is our Republican colleagues don’t have a serious plan.”

—McClatchy Washington Bureau

House panel advances kids online safety bills

WASHINGTON — Legislation that would require social media platforms to implement policies to prevent certain harms to minors was advanced Thursday by the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, with 17 other bills centered on children’s safety online.

The harm-prevention bill, dubbed the Kids’ Online Safety Act, is a new version of legislation that the full committee forwarded last Congress, but leaves out a duty of care mandate for platforms and applies to a narrower list of possible harms to children online.

Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., sponsored this year’s version, which he said would be the “foundation and the safety net” and would work together with other safety bills before the subcommittee.

“KOSA will broadly protect kids and teens,” he said, “while the other bills before us address particular harms or take specific approaches to help ensure no existing threat is left unaddressed.”

—CQ-Roll Call

Wisconsin gunman Kyle Rittenhouse is married, teases more news to come

Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted of killing two Black Lives Matter protesters during a 2020 demonstration, returned to social media this week to announce that he’s married.

Rittenhouse became a household name after shooting three people at a Kenosha, Wisc., protest following the killing of George Floyd. The then-17-year-old gunman was celebrated by right-wing figures, including President Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson, and honored at conservative events.

For years after, Rittenhouse used his fame to promote pro-gun politicians and causes until his social media feeds went dark in July.

His hiatus ended Wednesday with a series of posts including wedding photos of Rittenhouse with his new wife, Bella Rittenhouse. One image shows the bride toting a long gun and Rittenhouse, now 22, holding a pistol. He said their wedding took place six months ago.

—New York Daily News

Ukraine allies to meet as Kyiv sends draft plan to Trump

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned Russia will come for the rest of Europe if its warmongering is not checked now, just moments before Ukraine’s allies were slated to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest peace push.

“We need to be crystal clear about the threat,” the military alliance leader said in a speech Thursday in Berlin. “We are Russia’s next target. And we are already in harm’s way.”

Rutte painted a stark picture of what’s at stake for the continent as Moscow continues to press its maximalist demands for territory and NATO restrictions in return for a vague promise to end its full-scale invasion, currently heading into its fourth winter.

“Russia has brought war back to Europe,” Rutte said. “And we must be prepared for the scale of war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured.”

—Bloomberg News