Health-Law Fracas Leaves Congress in Limbo - Fights over the federal health-law and canceled insurance policies are stalling Congress .One lawmaker in the talks was hopeful that the political hit Democrats are taking over the health law might make them more eager to reach a budget deal. "Both sides need a victory,'' said Rep. Tom Cole (R., Okla.). "We hurt ourselves with the government shutdown. They hurt themselves with the [health law].''

From The Wall Street Journal:

Furor over the botched implementation of President Barack Obama's health-care law has allowed Congress to engage in a familiar activity: procrastination.

Prospects already were dim for substantial legislation in the dwindling days of 2013, but the headline-grabbing fights over the federal health exchange and canceled insurance policies have given House Republicans no incentive to change the subject. The issue has drowned out talk of an immigration overhaul, taken the focus off high-stakes budget talks and stalled efforts to rewrite the tax code.

 

For House Republicans, the health-care fight offers a winning political message expected to carry them through the 2014 midterm elections, said Rep. Greg Walden (R., Ore.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which oversees GOP House campaigns.

 

"It will be the defining issue in 2014," as Republicans frame the health law as prime evidence of Democrats' "big government takeover," Mr. Walden said at a Friday breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor.

 

Still, Republicans were unlikely to tackle an immigration overhaul this year regardless of the health law. Conservative lawmakers revolted against a bipartisan bill passed by the Senate in June that provides a path to citizenship to illegal immigrants living in the U.S. House Republicans have said they plan to consider their own immigration bills under a step-by-step approach, but have yet to schedule any floor votes.

 

But now, even in swing districts, Republicans are confident that health-care concerns will trump frustration over a lack of progress on immigration.

 

The health-care fracas hasn't stopped talk among a bipartisan group of budget negotiators given the task of agreeing to a plan by Dec. 13. But with no consequences until the government's current funding runs out Jan. 15, little progress is expected soon.

 

One lawmaker in the talks was hopeful that the political hit Democrats are taking over the health law might make them more eager to reach a budget deal. "Both sides need a victory,'' said Rep. Tom Cole (R., Okla.). "We hurt ourselves with the government shutdown. They hurt themselves with the [health law].''