In this context, a policy refers to a law, rule, or regulation that applies to the people of the United States or the nation's relationships with other countries. Given that the United States is currently in its presidential primary season, there are many domestic and foreign policies being discussed and proposed.
A good example of a contemporary albeit controversial domestic policy is the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that was signed into law in 2010. The act requires that every person have health insurance and that subsidies would be provided for those that couldn't afford the total cost.
This has been a hotly debated policy in the Congress and the Senate, so there are many different actors. Primarily, the issue has been an important part of Obama's presidency and he has lobbied hard to ensure that it passed. Others include the Senate Finance Committee, which includes Senators Chuck Grassley, Olympia Snowe, and Max Baucus.
The ACA has been heavily criticized by many Republicans, including Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and many others who have tried on several occasions to block or repeal the act. In most cases, opponents have been unsuccessful and the ACA remains intact.
In recent years, there are few bills that have been as contentiously debated as the ACA. Many conservatives feel as though it is governmental overreach, which has contributed to a greater divide between the Democrats and Republicans. Although it was passed into law about six years ago, it remains a popular topic of discussion in the current presidential debates, with many on the Republican side saying they will repeal the act and some Democrats wanting to expand it. The ongoing debates over the ACA demonstrate the current dysfunction between the political parties and it seems to be a significant barrier to bipartisan efforts.
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