Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton.

Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem is linking the seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela to the Trump administration's counter-drug efforts.

During a House Homeland Security Committee, Noam lauded the unusual move to take control of a merchant ship.

It was a successful operation directed by the president to

ensure that we're pushing back on a regime that is systematically covering and flooding our country

with deadly drugs and killing our next generation of Americans. President Trump told reporters yesterday

the tanker was seized for a very good reason. Venezuela's government has called the seizure an act of international piracy.

Affordable Care Act tax credits expanded during the pandemic are on track to expire at the end of the month.

NPR's Deirdre Walsh reports competing plans from both parties to address health care costs failed to advance in the Senate.

Senate Democrats proposed extending existing health care subsidies for three years.

Four Republicans backed that bill, but it failed to get the 60 votes to advance.

A Republican bill to give consumers up to $1,500 to use in health savings accounts also failed to advance.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

blamed the GOP for blocking action weeks before people will face spikes in health care costs.

Now Republicans have all but guaranteed that tens of millions of people will see their

premiums double or triple or more next year. House Speaker Mike Johnson is vowing the House will vote on some health care bill,

but there is no agreement on the details.

Swing District House Republicans are working to force a vote to extend the ACA subsidies for one or two years.

Deirdre Walsh, NPR News, the Capitol.

At least 20 rivers in western Washington state are flooding.

In Skagit County, about an hour north of Seattle,

100,000 people have evacuated their homes.

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