Republicans have refused to negotiate a deal with Democrats to extend healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act until they pass the continuing resolution previously approved by the House.

On Friday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced a public proposal on the Senate floor to do both simultaneously: pass the spending package and extend the subsidies for one year. He proposed a bipartisan working group to continue ongoing budget negotiations and explore long-term healthcare solutions.

The plan could make things more difficult in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to bring members back to work. He has argued that they did their job and passed the spending bill. If the Senate passes Schumer's proposal, the House would theoretically return.

Johnson has been avoiding swearing in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), who won a special election in September. Once she is sworn in, there will be enough votes to force a full House vote on releasing the full investigation files on Jeffrey Epstein.

Activists have suggested that Johnson will only swear in Grijalva once Tennessee Republican candidate for Congress, Matt Van Epps, can also be sworn in to counter her vote. Van Epps has not indicated whether he supports releasing the Epstein files.