Capitol News

A bipartisan group of U.S. House members, including Representative Tom Barrett (MI-07), has called on Senate leaders to involve both chambers in ongoing efforts to reduce health care costs. In a letter sent to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the lawmakers requested that House Democrats and Republicans be included in the legislative process ahead of an expected health care reform vote in December.

“We kindly request that you include both House Democrats and Republicans in the legislative process leading to the promised health care reform vote in December. If we work together, our hope is that the bill will not only achieve a sixty-vote majority in the Senate, but will also then move to the House for immediate consideration and passage,” the lawmakers wrote. “Bipartisan engagement across both chambers will be essential to crafting a health care proposal that can pass and be signed into law.”

This appeal comes after an agreement between Senate Democrats and Majority Leader Thune, which ended a filibuster and led to legislation ending a government shutdown. As part of this agreement, Thune committed to holding a vote on measures targeting rising health care costs and addressing Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at year’s end.

The letter was co-signed by several representatives from both parties, reflecting broad support for cross-chamber collaboration on this issue.