Media

The Affordable Care Act remains vastly unpopular across the country, and problems with the program continue to be revealed. These realities could actually prevent the president’s healthcare law from going into effect at the start of this year. On January 1, those enrolled for coverage under Obamacare became eligible to receive it. But the days ahead are likely to uncover more insurmountable problems for patients, doctors, employers and insurers.

National Journal - Sarah Mimms and Michael Catalini

More than a million unemployed Americans could soon receive a post-holiday bonus check from the federal government, if congressional Democrats get their way.

The Senate will take up a bill Monday evening to restore unemployment-insurance benefits to the 1.3 million Americans who stopped receiving checks just three days after Christmas, after Congress chose not to extend the program.

Buzzfeed - Jacob Fischler

As Congress returns to session next week, House Democrats and Republicans are still nowhere near an agreement to extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program.

On Monday, Sen. Harry Reid is scheduled to bring a three-month extension of the program without a way to offset the cost up for a vote. It’s unclear whether it has enough support to pass, but even if it does, House Republicans say they won’t agree to any extension, for any length of time, without a cost offsetting provision.

Associated Press - Alan Fram

It’s hard to believe that 2013 is already reaching an end. While Congress didn’t solve everything we could’ve hoped for this year, there were numerous victories for the country. Most importantly, I was encouraged to watch both sides work together on several occasions to find common ground and display true bipartisanship. It’s a reminder that when we start where we agree, we can function in divided government.

The Fiscal Times - Eric Pianin

NewsOK - Brandy McDonnell

The Oklahoma Historical Society has announced that “The Daughter of Dawn” has been selected for the Library of Congress’ 2013 National Film Registry, a collection of cinematic treasures that represent important cultural, artistic and historic achievements in filmmaking.