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Differences between the House and Senate ahead could threaten funding for a program that provides health care to some 9 million low- and middle-income children. Senators last week announced a bipartisan deal to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which is set to expire at the end of the month. ... Meanwhile, the House appears stalled on what to do about CHIP. (Weixel, 9/17)

While the Senate Finance Committee has agreed to a legislative proposal estimated to cost roughly $8 billion, the House skipped town on Thursday for a weeklong recess without unveiling a bill. “I think we’re much closer than farther apart,” said Energy and Commerce Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.), who anticipates the House will mark up its own CHIP plan after returning on Sept. 25. ... any sense of urgency has been swamped by the bitter debate over repealing Obamacare, which could be revived by a long-shot repeal bill from Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy. (Pradhan, 9/15)