Bessent says no formal White House health care proposal as shutdown drags on

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(WASHINGTON) — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that there is no formal proposal from the White House to defund the Affordable Care Act and instead send money directly to Americans, despite a social media post from President Donald Trump on Saturday promoting such a plan.

“The president has also come forward with a new proposal overnight, saying it’s time, instead, to do away with Obamacare and said to have the money go directly to the people. Do you have a formal proposal to do that?” ABC News’ “This Week” anchor George Stephanopoulos.

“We don’t have a formal proposal,” Bessent said.

But pressed by Stephanopoulos about whether such a plan would be proposed to the Senate, Bessent said that the administration was not proposing it “right now.”

Bessent also hedged when asked about Trump’s push to end the Senate’s filibuster.

“Is the best way to end the shutdown right now to end the filibuster?” Stephanopolous asked.

“The best way is for five Democratic senators to come across the aisle,” Bessent said.

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US conducts 17th lethal strike against alleged drug boat

Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images (WASHINGTON) The United States has conducted its 17th lethal strike against a suspected drug vessel, killing all three on board, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on X overnight. The strike took place