WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday slammed as "a boondoggle" the expiring Obamacare premium tax breaks, escalating his attacks against Democrats demanding renewal of those subsidies to end the U.S. government shutdown.

The Senate has voted to repeal the resolution that authorized the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, following a House vote last month that would return the basic war power to Congress more than two decades later.

On paper, Jon Ossoff has plenty of reasons to break party ranks as the government shutdown drags into a third week: The 38-year-old Georgian is the most vulnerable Senate Democrat up for re-election next year and his home state has more than 81,000 federal workers at risk for furloughs and firings

Each of Cassidy’s Republican opponents believes he can stop Cassidy from winning a third term. They are: state Sen. Blake Miguez of New Iberia; Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta; and state Treasurer John Fleming. At least one other Republican is expected to jump into the race.

The Senate approved its version of the annual defense policy bill after ending an impasse on amendments, paving the way for the chamber to formally negotiate with the House on a compromise version of the bill.

Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills appears to have prematurely launched her campaign for the Senate on Friday and quickly deleted her announcement after realizing the mistake.