WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. ‌Senate ​will vote on Thursday on rival healthcare ‌plans from Republicans and Democrats, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on Tuesday, ​as Congress struggles to address a fast-approaching surge in health insurance premiums for up to 24 million Americans.

The Senate is heading toward dueling partisan votes on health care this week after Republicans said Tuesday that they had united around a plan, for now, that would allow covid-era health care subsidies to expire.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a massive defense policy bill authorizing a record $901 billion in annual military spending, paving the way for the must-pass measure to become law for a 65th straight year.

NASA may finally be on the cusp of regaining official leadership. Jared Isaacman, the billionaire tech entrepreneur and sponsor of SpaceX's private Polaris spaceflight program, faced a key vote on Monday evening (Dec.

A Senate vote on the Affordable Care Act is scheduled for Thursday, and Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff says millions could see their premiums double if Congress does not extend the enhanced ACA premium tax credits.

Another Trump nominee, Alexander C. Van Hook, awaits a Senate vote for a separate federal judgeship in Louisiana. Louisiana Supreme Court Justice William Crain, who was nominated to the federal bench by President Donald Trump in October, has been confirmed by the Senate for a seat on the Eastern District Court in New Orleans.

Indiana's state Senate will decide on Thursday whether or not they'll pass a new congressional map that will make all nine of the state's U.S. House districts lean toward Republicans. This possibility of adding two GOP-friendly seats in Indiana has been a political priority of the Trump administration,