Washington’s political landscape is shifting as Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett jumps into the 2026 Senate race, Congress wrestles with the future of Affordable Care Act subsidies, the Education Department moves to end the SAVE student‑loan repayment plan, and two historic education leaders pass away or step aside.
Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett Announces Senate Campaign
Rep. Jasmine Crockett announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Monday, filing paperwork on the final qualifying day for the 2026 Texas race. The two‑term Democrat from the 30th Congressional District said her bid will challenge the state’s long‑standing Republican dominance and prompted fellow Democrat Colin Allred to withdraw.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Crockett has served as Texas’ 30th Representative since 2023 after a term in the Texas House (2021‑2023). Before entering Congress she worked as a public defender and civil‑rights attorney, focusing on criminal defense for marginalized communities.
Congress to Vote on ACA Subsidy Extensions
Congress is expected to vote on competing health‑care proposals as key Affordable Care Act premium subsidies near expiration. Senate Democrats are advancing a bill to extend enhanced ACA tax credits for three years, covering up to 24 million Americans. Republicans are pushing an alternative that would shift funds into health‑savings accounts rather than continuing the subsidies.
Both measures face steep hurdles and are unlikely to secure enough votes to pass. Lawmakers are racing against a year‑end deadline that could see premium costs surge if the subsidies lapse.
The vote primarily concerns private‑insurance subsidies and does not directly change Medicaid eligibility or benefits, but broader ACA debates could affect federal and state budget priorities that influence Medicaid funding levels.
Education Department Ends SAVE Student‑Loan Plan
The U.S. Department of Education announced it will end the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan as part of a settlement with Missouri reached on December 9, 2025. Under the agreement, the department will stop enrolling new borrowers, deny pending applications, and transition existing participants into other repayment programs if a federal court approves the deal.
SAVE, launched under the Biden administration, provided income‑based payments and a faster path to forgiveness for roughly 7 million borrowers. Its termination could lead to higher monthly payments and limit streamlined forgiveness options for millions of borrowers.
Borrowers will need to select new repayment plans before automatic transitions begin; delays could cause interest to resume sooner.
Read the Department’s announcement
Rod Paige, First Black U.S. Secretary of Education, Dies at 92
Rod Paige, the former U.S. Secretary of Education, died Tuesday at age 92. He served as the seventh education secretary from 2001 to 2005 under President George W. Bush, becoming the first Black person to hold the cabinet post.
Paige’s leadership on the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act introduced nationwide student‑testing standards and accountability measures that shaped U.S. education policy for decades. Prior to his federal role, he was superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, where his “Houston Miracle” reforms gained national attention.
Adrienne A. Jones Steps Down as Maryland House Speaker
Adrienne A. Jones announced she is stepping down from the speakership of the Maryland House of Delegates, ending a historic tenure while remaining a delegate for District 10. Her departure comes ahead of the 2026 legislative session, triggering a scramble among lawmakers to select a successor before the chamber reconvenes in January.
Jones was the first woman and the first Black legislator elected as speaker in 2019, breaking long‑standing barriers and broadening representation at the highest level of Maryland politics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who announced a Senate campaign in Texas?
Rep. Jasmine Crockett announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate, entering the 2026 race and filing on the final qualification day.
What is at stake in the upcoming ACA subsidy vote?
Congress will decide whether to extend enhanced ACA tax credits for three years, covering up to 24 million Americans, or replace them with a health‑savings‑account alternative. The outcome could affect premium costs and indirectly influence Medicaid funding pressures.
What will happen to borrowers currently in the SAVE plan?
If the settlement proceeds, the Education Department will stop new enrollments, deny pending applications, and transition existing participants into other repayment programs, potentially raising monthly payments and limiting access to forgiveness pathways.
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