With a government shutdown looming and midterms about a year away, Democratic lawmakers are itching for a fight on health care.

Democrats have successfully run on health care before, and they believe a shutdown would only amplify their message as they seek to break the Republican triumvirate in Washington.

For weeks, Democratic lawmakers have been talking about tying an extension of ObamaCare's enhanced tax credits to government funding legislation.

If Republicans refuse to engage and the government shuts down, Democrats think Republicans will shoulder the blame. If there's a deal on the tax credits and the government doesn't shut down, Democrats will claim that as a win too.

"They can kind of have their cake and eat it too," said one source familiar with the thinking of Democratic leaders.

“They can work to appease the base right now and get a meaningful policy win for their constituents from the [Affordable Care Act tax credits], but still turn around and continue getting health care to be main topic of conversation ... and try to get persuadable swing voters in the midterms,” the source said.

The Trump administration has helped keep health care in the spotlight, with controversial public health directives on issues like vaccines and, most recently, painkillers for pregnant women.

As the Democratic base clamors for party leaders to fight back against the Trump administration and........

© The Hill