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Remember back in July when Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) abruptly adjourned the House of Representatives for summer recess? The quick exit gave Republicans an escape from headlines about the Trump administration’s refusal to release files on Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased sex offender.

Now, Congress is about to return. And the Epstein drama is just one fire burning among many. As September begins, Republicans remain on the defensive, and this time they won’t be able to call a time-out.

The bottom line for congressional Republicans this fall is not governance but survival.

The hottest flame coming at them is the burning threat of an Oct. 1 government shutdown, unless there is a budget deal. Despite Republican majorities in both houses, the GOP has failed to pass next year's appropriations, despite allowing government debt to reach record highs. To get a deal done, Republicans will likely need some Democratic votes. In exchange for their votes, the Democrats have demands in hand.

First, they want Republicans to restore cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare). Both health care plans were decimated by President Trump’s recently passed tax and budget reconciliation bill.

Democrats risk paying a price with voters if they force a government shutdown. But 20 million Americans are about to be hit with higher health insurance premiums due to the Trump cuts. A big bloc of voters across party lines

© The Hill