{UAH} WHAT IS WRONG WITH AFFORDABLE CARE ACT? ->Now I need more Popcorn !!!!

Spending bill gives Congress pay hike and ACA opt-out

Story by Andrew Solender

Spending bill gives Congress pay hike and ACA opt-out

House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) deal with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown until March would give members of Congress their first pay raise since 2009 and let them opt out of the Affordable Care Act.

Why it matters: The provisions — particularly the pay raise — are part of a push to make serving in Congress more accessible to those who lack independent wealth.

Driving the news: The bill would keep the government funded at current levels until March 14, but it also includes many longstanding legislative priorities for both parties.

• It would repeal language in a stopgap spending bill passed earlier this year that blocks an annual cost-of-living adjustment for members of Congress.
• Lawmakers have inserted language in every spending bill since 2009 blocking that congressional pay raise, which is mandated by a 1989 law.
• The provision was first reported by Bloomberg Government.

Zoom in: Another measure in the bill reverses a provision of the Affordable Care Act requiring members of Congress and their staff to receive health insurance from the ACA exchange.

• Lawmakers would now be allowed to return to the Federal Employee Health Benefits program – viewed as a better plan with cushier benefits than the ACA.
• Congressional staffers would still be required to get their insurance from the ACA.