With a government shutdown looming and midterms about a year away, Democratic lawmakers are itching for a fight on health care.

Democrats have successfully run on health care before, and they believe a shutdown would only amplify their message as they seek to break the Republican triumvirate in Washington.

For weeks, Democratic lawmakers have been talking about tying an extension of ObamaCare's enhanced tax credits to government funding legislation.

If Republicans refuse to engage and the government shuts down, Democrats think Republicans will shoulder the blame. If there's a deal on the tax credits and the government doesn't shut down, Democrats will claim that as a win too.

"They can kind of have their cake and eat it too," said one source familiar with the thinking of Democratic lea

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