Sam Greenglass

Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington.

Democrats want to simply extend the subsidies for three years.

A vote to do that failed in the Senate last week, though it did attract four Republican votes.

Now, Republicans have their own proposals to cut health costs.

Senate Republicans came up with a plan to deposit up to $1,500 in health savings accounts for high-deductible ACA plans.

That also failed last week.

Bipartisan talks are still happening among some rank-and-file senators, but most lawmakers have acknowledged a solution is not going to happen this year, which means premiums for many Americans are going to shoot up on January 1st.

For weeks, House Speaker Mike Johnson promised to unveil a health plan, as Democrats and some Republicans warned of skyrocketing premiums if enhanced subsidies expire for plans purchased on the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

The Johnson-backed bill packages a few health policies Republicans have long favored, but would not stave off the premium spikes many people in Obamacare plans will face in January.

Some House Republicans, mostly in competitive districts, have slammed Johnson for refusing to allow a vote on the subsidies.

and are trying to wield House rules to circumvent him.

But with Congress leaving town after this week, it is all but certain the subsidies will expire.

Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington.

And the Trump administration is fast-tracking new nuclear reactor designs.

Some safety advocates are worried about the government's approach to regulation.

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Congress has two days to take action on health care subsidies before lawmakers head out of the Capitol for the holiday recess.

NPR congressional reporter Sam Greenglass has been tracking this story from Capitol Hill.

He's with us now.