The Republican White House is open to a deal to extend the Biden-era expansion of the Affordable Care Act, so long as those negotiations come after Democrats reopen the government. It is a demand that has left conservatives on Capitol Hill and anti-abortion advocates across the country on edge.

Halloween could come early this year. The Democrats have named their price to avoid a government shutdown come October – an additional $350 billion for healthcare over the next decade. Critics say a big chunk of that money may go to ghosts.